THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, June 14: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed election authorities to undertake the mapping of sitting and former Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and senior civil, judicial and armed forces officials on a priority basis during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Officials said the move is intended to encourage wider public participation in the SIR exercise and boost voter confidence in the revision process.
Concerns and Confusion Among Voters
Despite the importance of the exercise, there has been little public outreach from elected representatives in Palamu, with neither sitting nor former MPs and MLAs actively urging people to participate in the SIR process.
The revision exercise has generated concerns among voters, particularly in the wake of developments in some poll-bound states. Many electors remain uncertain about documentation requirements and whether their names will continue to remain on the electoral rolls.
Palamu Administration Steps Up Preparations
Administrative sources said Palamu Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dilip Pratap Singh Shekhawat is overseeing preparations to ensure a smooth rollout of the SIR drive, scheduled to begin on June 30.
On Saturday, Shekhawat, accompanied by Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate-cum-Electoral Registration Officer Sulochana Meena, inspected several polling booths and interacted with Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
During the inspection, BLOs informed officials that nearly 45 to 50 per cent of the mapping work remained pending. Shekhawat reportedly directed them to accelerate the process and ensure error-free and proactive mapping.
What Happens If a Voter’s Name Is Removed?
A key concern raised by electors relates to cases where a person’s name existed in the 2003 SIR records but is later removed from the electoral roll on citizenship grounds.
Sources clarified that removal from the electoral roll does not automatically lead to deportation or detention. Under ECI guidelines, if an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) removes a voter’s name on citizenship-related grounds, the case must be reported to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) within four weeks. Further action, if any, rests with the competent authority.
Voters Advised to Keep Documents Ready
Officials have advised electors to keep documents related to birth and residence readily available. These may include school certificates, land records, forest rights certificates, passports and other approved documents that help establish eligibility.
Sources added that job cards issued under MGNREGA and its successor schemes are not included among the accepted documents for establishing citizenship during the verification process.
With the SIR exercise set to begin later this month, election authorities are focusing on voter awareness, accurate mapping and timely verification to ensure a smooth revision process.