Mangaluru: Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V Anbukumar has assured eligible voters that they will not lose their voting rights during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. He clarified that even if a voter’s name is omitted from the final electoral roll published after the SIR process, they can still apply for inclusion by submitting Form 6 along with the required documents and declaration.

Speaking at a review meeting on the progress of the SIR process in Dakshina Kannada district at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Saturday, Anbukumar directed officials to expedite the digitisation of enumeration forms and ensure accurate verification of voter records.

CEO reviews SIR progress in Dakshina Kannada

During the review meeting, the Chief Electoral Officer assessed the progress of the Special Intensive Revision being carried out across the district. He said enumeration forms had already been distributed to all eligible voters and stressed that the digitisation of completed forms should be completed without delay.

According to Anbukumar, timely digitisation is essential for preparing the draft electoral roll and ensuring the smooth completion of the revision exercise. He instructed booth level officers (BLOs) and election officials to prioritise this task so that the electoral roll can be updated within the prescribed timeline.

He also reassured voters who may have missed submitting their forms within the stipulated period. Such voters, he said, would still have an opportunity to get their names included in the electoral roll after the final list is published by applying through Form 6 with the necessary supporting documents and declaration.

Verification of ASDD cases stressed

The Chief Electoral Officer directed election officials to carry out detailed verification of voters falling under the ASDD category — Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate.

He said that whenever booth level officers find a voter absent from home, relocated, deceased or having multiple entries in the electoral roll during field visits, a proper verification should be conducted. A mahazar should be prepared wherever necessary to document the findings.

Anbukumar further instructed officials to share the list of such cases with recognised political party agents to ensure transparency in the verification process. Any changes proposed after verification should be properly recorded and updated following due procedure.

He said careful verification would help maintain the accuracy and credibility of the electoral rolls while safeguarding the voting rights of eligible citizens.

District records 83 per cent digitisation

Deputy Commissioner Darshan H V presented the district’s progress report during the meeting.

He informed that Dakshina Kannada has 18,03,766 registered voters, and enumeration forms have been distributed to all of them.

The district administration has identified 65,588 voters under the ASDD category for further verification.

Darshan H V said that 14,97,139 enumeration forms have already been digitised, taking the district’s overall progress to 83 per cent.

To assist the public with queries related to the Special Intensive Revision, the administration has also activated the 1950 voter helpline, where citizens can seek clarification regarding the enumeration process, submission of forms and electoral roll updates.

Polling booth inspection conducted

Following the review meeting, Anbukumar visited the polling booth at Capitanio School in the Mangaluru South Assembly constituency to inspect the ongoing SIR activities.

During the visit, he examined the enumeration forms collected by booth level officers and reviewed the procedures being followed for data collection and verification.

He also interacted with officials, offered suggestions for improving the process and appreciated the arrangements made for voters at the polling station.

Mangaluru Assistant Commissioner Meenakshi Arya, Mangaluru City Corporation Deputy Commissioner Akshatha and other officials accompanied him during the inspection.

Focus on error-free electoral rolls

The review highlighted the Election Commission’s efforts to complete the Special Intensive Revision efficiently while ensuring that no eligible voter is deprived of the opportunity to exercise their franchise. Officials have been instructed to speed up digitisation, verify doubtful cases thoroughly and maintain transparency throughout the process.

The assurance that voters can still apply through Form 6 even after the publication of the final electoral roll is expected to provide relief to eligible citizens who may be unable to complete the enumeration process within the prescribed timeline.