Pune Division Prepares For Next Phase Of Electoral Roll Revision

The Maharashtra administration has begun preparations for the next phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Pune division.

The first phase, which involved a house-to-house survey, has been completed across the division. Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam directed district officials to prepare for the publication of the draft electoral roll, verification of unmapped voters, objections and hearings, and other follow-up action.

Chockalingam praised the district collectors and their teams for completing the first phase within the extended deadline. He was speaking at a review meeting held at the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in Pune on Tuesday.

The first phase of the SIR focused on verifying whether voters were physically residing at their registered addresses. Officials carried out the mapping of voters using enumeration forms, existing electoral records, required documents and records from the past 20 years.

The next phase is expected to be more challenging, with officials focusing on voters whose records could not be mapped during the first phase. Chockalingam directed officials to verify such cases by collecting the required documents as per the law and election guidelines.

He also directed officials to ensure that field staff and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are not placed under undue pressure. The verification process can be streamlined using available mobile numbers, photo identity cards and other valid documents.

Chockalingam emphasized the importance of clear communication with citizens, particularly in the days immediately after the publication of the draft electoral roll. District-level social media teams, media relations teams and election officials have been asked to remain active during this period.

Citizens must receive clear and accurate information about the electoral roll and the next steps, Chockalingam said. Officials have also been asked to explain the procedure for filing objections and attending hearings.

Special attention must be given to entries classified as Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate (ASDD), Chockalingam said. Clear communication will be important to avoid confusion among voters.

The SIR process is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls in the Pune division. The administration's efforts to prepare for the next phase of the process are aimed at ensuring a smooth and transparent revision of the electoral rolls.

The publication of the draft electoral roll is expected to be a critical step in the process, and officials are working to ensure that citizens are aware of the procedures and timelines involved.

The success of the SIR process will depend on the effective implementation of the next phase, and the administration is working to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to achieve this goal.

In the end, the revision of the electoral rolls is an important step towards ensuring the integrity of the democratic process in the Pune division. The administration's efforts to prepare for the next phase of the SIR process are a crucial part of this effort.