The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Roll w.r.t. 01st January 2017 with a view to prepare an accurate and error free electoral roll since defect free and updated electoral rolls are the bedrock of any vibrant democracy. The focus is on registration of all eligible persons especially youth, females and other marginalized sections of the society.
As per the schedule, the draft publication of electoral roll is on 31st October, 2016 in the A&N Parliamentary Constituency. The period for filing claims and objections shall be from 31st October, 2016 (Monday) to 30th November, 2016 (Wednesday) and the final electoral roll is to be published on 14th January, 2017 (Saturday). Special campaigns with Booth Level Agents of Political Parties for filing claims and objections shall also to be organized during the period. The claims and objection shall be disposed by 15th December 2016 (Thursday) by AEROs.
All political parties and general public are requested to inspect the electoral roll for filing claims and objections and for updating the electoral roll. The electors, whose date of birth is on or before 01/01/1999 and are not enrolled in the Electoral roll till date are eligible to file their claims for inclusion in the ongoing revision process with the qualifying date 01st January 2017.
The revision process has a number of pre-determined activities which need to be completed within pre-fixed timelines and as such for the revision of rolls the Commission expects enthusiastic participation of the public and full involvement and cooperation of the political parties, rural and urban local bodies, NGOs etc. It is massive activity in which the entire election machinery starting with CEO/DEOs/EROs/AEROs and ending with BLO supervisors and BLOs takes part.
The target of 100% coverage of PER and EPIC is yet to be achieved. The Commission has also reiterated the same to achieve 100% error free electoral roll and its this year moto is “No Voter to be left behind”.
In order to hassle free enrolment of the general public a Toll Free No. 1950 has been setup which will function on all working days from 9 AM to 5 PM. They can also register their name through online by log on to ECI’s website www.nvsp.in. The required number of BLOs/Designated Officers has been appointed in all the polling stations and they will be available at their designated locations up to 30/11/2016 (Wednesday) to receive claims and objections. They shall guide the people to fill up the forms for inclusion of names, correction, changing of polling stations. The detailed list of appointment of all such BLOs is being published in the newspapers for information of the general public. All the recognized political parties are also requested to appoint/identify booth level agents who would be associated with BLOs in maximum enrolment of left out electors and new electors as well in the current revision.
I, therefore, appeal to the general public especially the youth in the age group 18-19 yrs to enrol their names in the Parliamentary photo electoral rolls – 2017 for maximum enrolment by submitting form – 6 with passport size photograph, proof of age and residence, if not enrolled earlier so as to achieve 100% error free photo electoral roll and fulfil the moto of Commission “No Voter to be left behind”. I also request to all political parties and Press Medias to extend their full cooperation in this regard.
Udit Prakash Rai
Chief Electoral Officer
A&N Islands