THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, June 15: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has urged the Election Commission to reconsider its current procedure under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allow voters identified under the “Anomaly” and “Unmapped” categories to submit required documents during the enumeration stage itself.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jharkhand, JMM General Secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey said that while the party supports efforts to ensure the accuracy and purity of electoral rolls, voters should not be made to undergo multiple rounds of verification when discrepancies are already identified during the door-to-door survey process.
JMM Seeks Change in SIR Verification Process
The party noted that, according to information shared by election authorities, voters are currently not required to submit documents during the enumeration phase. Documents are sought only later in cases where notices are issued following verification.
The JMM argued that if a voter is already identified as falling under the Anomaly or Unmapped category during enumeration, collecting documents at that stage would be more practical and efficient. The party said this would reduce inconvenience to voters and lessen the administrative burden on election officials.
Concerns Over Voter Inconvenience
According to the letter, the existing process could create difficulties for large numbers of voters, particularly migrant workers, students and residents living outside Jharkhand for employment, education or other reasons. If notices are issued later, such voters may have to return to the state to complete verification formalities.
The JMM maintained that early document collection would help avoid unnecessary confusion, reduce the chances of eligible voters facing difficulties and make the revision process more transparent.
Call for Greater Transparency
The ruling party also requested that if the Election Commission is considering any alternative procedure, it should be clearly communicated in the public domain so that voters, political parties and election officials remain informed and confusion is avoided.
The memorandum emphasised that no eligible voter should be deprived of voting rights due to procedural complications, lack of information or administrative delays, and called for a voter-friendly approach during the SIR exercise.
