Election Commission set to publish draft electoral rolls for five regions on Tuesday
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Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to publish the draft voters' lists for three states and two union territories on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the update of the electoral roll. This move concludes the first stage of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) for West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Goa, along with the union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
To ensure transparency in the democratic process, the Chief Electoral Officers in these regions have confirmed that the draft lists will be shared with all recognised political parties registered with the Commission. According to officials within the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's department, citizens will have three distinct avenues to verify their inclusion in the rolls. Voters can check the lists uploaded on the official websites of the ECI and state CEO offices, visit local borough offices to inspect printed copies, or directly contact their designated Booth Level Officers for confirmation.
Concurrently, the Commission will release a separate list detailing 'excludable voters'. This category includes names flagged for removal due to various reasons, such as the death of a voter, a permanent shift of residence, duplicate entries, or instances where individuals have been deemed untraceable.
The publication of these drafts signals the end of the initial data collection period that began on 4 November. It immediately triggers the commencement of the second phase of the SIR, during which Electoral Registration Officers will accept claims and objections regarding the entries. Following the necessary hearings and verification processes, the final electoral rolls are scheduled for publication on 14 February 2026.
The timeline holds particular significance for West Bengal, where the update serves as a precursor to the state's upcoming political calendar. The ECI has indicated that the schedule for the crucial Assembly elections, due next year, will be announced shortly after the final voters' list is released in February.
(Inputs from IANS)