1.81 Crore Maharashtra Voters Miss Enumeration Deadline

The Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, S. Chockalingam, announced on Wednesday that 1.81 crore voters in the state have yet to complete the enumeration process under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

This comes despite the successful digitisation of forms submitted by 77.77 per cent of the state's electorate. As of now, 7,60,98,153 voters have submitted signed enumeration forms, which have been digitised. However, forms relating to 1,80,60,697 voters, or 18.46 per cent of the total electorate, are yet to be collected.

The Election Commission has set August 17 as the final deadline for voters to submit their enumeration forms. The category of voters whose forms have not been collected includes those who are absent, have migrated, are deceased or have duplicate entries.

According to the electoral data as of June 18, Maharashtra has 9,78,54,049 registered voters. The problem is more pronounced in urban areas, particularly in Thane, Nagpur, Mumbai, Pune, Palghar and Raigad districts.

In Mumbai Suburban district, 78,30,011 voters have submitted their SIR forms, accounting for 63.65 per cent of the electorate. In Mumbai City, 25,55,499 voters have submitted their forms, representing 61.51 per cent of registered voters.

Considering Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban districts together, around 63 per cent of enumeration forms have been digitised, while nearly 30 per cent have been classified as uncollectable and about seven per cent remain under process.

The revised SIR schedule provides for publication of the draft electoral roll on August 24. Voters will then have one month, until September 23, to file claims and objections. The final electoral roll will be published on October 27.

After publication of the draft roll, voters can use Form 6 to seek inclusion of their names, Form 7 for deletion and Form 8 for corrections in details such as address, mobile number and photograph. Newly eligible voters who have attained the age of 18, as well as eligible citizens whose names are missing from the electoral roll, will also be able to apply.

Chockalingam urged voters not to delay submission of enumeration forms merely because they do not currently possess documents or their details have not been mapped with the 2002 electoral roll. Necessary documents can be submitted later during the scrutiny process.

The Election Commission has also warned that registering as a voter at more than one place is prohibited under the Representation of the People Act. Furnishing false declarations during the revision or registration process can attract imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both.

The completion of the enumeration process is crucial for the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls in Maharashtra. With the August 17 deadline looming, voters are advised to submit their enumeration forms as soon as possible to avoid any last-minute rush.

In conclusion, the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Maharashtra is a critical process that requires the participation of all eligible voters. The Election Commission's efforts to digitise the enumeration forms and publish the draft electoral roll are aimed at ensuring the accuracy and transparency of the electoral process.

As the final deadline for submission of enumeration forms approaches, voters in Maharashtra must take immediate action to complete the enumeration process and ensure their names are included in the electoral roll. This will not only enable them to exercise their right to vote but also contribute to the integrity of the democratic process in the state.

The significance of this process cannot be overstated, as it has a direct impact on the representation of the people of Maharashtra in the democratic institutions of the country. Therefore, it is essential that all eligible voters take this process seriously and complete the enumeration process before the deadline.