After 24 years, ECI to conduct SIR of electoral rolls in Odisha

The Election Commission of India will launch a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Odisha from next month, with preparations underway to mobilise manpower for 45,000 booths across the State.

The SIR is being conducted after 24 years. “We will conduct the SIR in addition to the special summary revision carried out annually. The ECI has asked all States to perform the SIR,” said R.S. Gopalan, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, on Monday (August 18, 2025).

“As part of SIR, we will get a form filled up from voters this year. The form will be on their eligibility. Voters are required to submit supporting documents with the forms,” said Mr. Gopalan.

“During the last SIR, the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) went to every house and ascertained the presence of voters. They had just ticked in their notes and left. This year, they will get enumeration forms filled up,” he pointed out.

“We have 90% of the Electors’ Photo Identity Card numbers linked to Aadhaar numbers. The duplication of EPICs is expected to be lower,” said CEO Odisha.

Duplicate EPIC

He said that during routine revisions, 7,000 EPIC numbers in Odisha were found to match EPIC numbers belonging to voters outside the State. “We have issued new EPICs with changed numbers,” said Mr. Gopalan.

“Intense preparations are underway. We will require 45,000 booths to cover the State. Currently, we have 38,000 booths. An additional 7,000 people can be easily mobilised. These should be permanent government employees, preferably teachers. In places where Anganwadi workers have been doing revisions, they will continue to do so,” the CEO said.

After the SIR, the CEO will publish the draft roll on January 6, but there will be no change in dates for filing objections and the vetting period. If the ECI desires to extend dates for these processes, the dates will naturally be extended, he pointed out.

BJD appeal was delayed

On the Biju Janata Dal moving the High Court, dissatisfied at the ECI’s response to allegations of discrepancies observed in voting during the 2024 elections, Mr. Gopalan said, “I had twice clarified their concerns. As per the guidelines, every political party can lodge formal complaints over the process within 45 days of the completion of the election process. BJD filed six months later. No other party had any doubts about the process.”

“There are 30 cases related to elections pending in different courts. Three of them have been rejected. Nowhere is the ECI a party,” he said.

Mr. Gopalan emphasised that, “the ECI had built its reputation over seven decades of conducting elections. In 1979, when all political parties were expecting results in a particular direction, the outcome was entirely different. The time-tested election process must be respected. If people lose faith in elections, it will take a long time to restore it.”