SIR Enumeration Deadline Approaches in Nagpur District as Digitization and Form Collection Wrap Up The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration phase in Nagpur district is set to conclude on Monday, marking the final day for voters to submit their forms. After 49 days of efforts, including two extensions and a district-wide exercise involving 4,610 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), the administration has distributed 99.96% of forms and completed 68.45% of digitisation. Nagpur district, which has 46.38 lakh voters, has seen 46,36,685 forms distributed as of Sunday, with 31,74,954 digitised and 1,27,150 remaining undigitised. Additionally, 16,273 electors have submitted forms online. A significant portion of the electorate has been categorised as uncollectable, with 13,36,485 voters—28.81% of the total—listed in this category. Officials noted that these voters may face deletion from the electoral rolls if verification confirms they are absent, relocated, or deceased. However, they clarified that being placed in this category does not automatically result in name deletion, as the draft roll will undergo further checks before final decisions are made. Election officials emphasized that the final push is focused on collecting outstanding forms, completing pending digitisation, and verifying electors who could not be traced during BLO visits. A senior official stated that the priority is ensuring eligible voters who can still be contacted have the opportunity to submit their forms. BLOs are following up on unresolved cases, with assistance from BLAs (Booth Level Assistants) and local representatives where needed. The draft electoral roll is scheduled for publication on August 24, after which voters can check their status and submit claims or objections if necessary.#election_commission_of_india #nagpur_district #booth_level_officers #sir_enumeration #booth_level_assistants
Nagpur Electoral Roll Update: 7.48 Lakh Forms Remain Uncollected, Names Face Deletion Risk Nagpur’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has identified around 7.48 lakh electors as being in a precarious position, with their Enumeration Forms unable to be collected. These uncollectable forms, accounting for 16.12% of the district’s total electorate of 46.38 lakh, could lead to potential deletion of names from the electoral roll once the draft is published. However, officials clarified that this classification does not equate to automatic deletion, emphasizing the need for verification and claims processes. The uncollectable forms primarily involve cases of absent, shifted, or deceased electors, as well as voters who could not be traced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the enumeration exercise. A senior election official noted that these forms should not be treated as confirmed deletions, as many are likely to be ASD (Absent, Shifted, Deceased) cases. To address this, the administration has shared the list with political parties, corporators, and their representatives, seeking assistance in locating missing voters. A separate ASD list will be published alongside the draft electoral roll on August 24, allowing affected electors to raise claims or objections before the final roll is finalized on October 27. Officials reiterated that no names will be deleted solely because their forms could not be collected. Instead, a thorough verification process will precede any final decision. Even if a name is deleted, enrolment does not permanently close. Eligible voters can apply through Form 6 for fresh inclusion, as the addition of voters remains an ongoing process post-SIR. The issue is unevenly distributed across Nagpur’s constituencies.#nagpur #election_commission #special_intensive_revision #booth_level_officers #nagpur_electoral_roll
Nagpur Ranks Fifth in Maharashtra for Book-a-Call Responses; 6.5K Requests Still Pending The Election Commission of India’s online “Book a Call” initiative, designed to facilitate communication between voters and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive, has seen significant engagement in Nagpur district. As of August 4, Nagpur recorded 35,666 requests under the facility, placing it fifth in Maharashtra by volume. However, the system faces challenges with response delays, as nearly one in four requests remains unaddressed. Official data reveals that across the state, 7,51,040 voters have booked calls with BLOs, yet 1,33,512 requests are still pending. Of these, 1,23,772—over 92% of the backlog—have been awaiting action for more than 48 hours. In Nagpur specifically, 25,200 requests have been resolved, while 6,534 remain outstanding. Notably, 6,173 of these pending cases, or 94%, have gone unanswered for over two days. The delay has raised concerns about the efficiency of the SIR process, which aims to ensure accurate voter registration. Officials emphasized that the Book-a-Call feature was introduced to streamline the process, allowing voters to seek assistance without waiting for in-person visits. Through the portal, electors can request callbacks from their designated BLOs for guidance on filling Enumeration Forms, clarifying doubts, or coordinating document collection. Despite the system’s intent, the backlog highlights systemic issues. In Nagpur, 3,932 voters marked as “unavailable” when BLOs attempted contact, contributing to the pending cases. This issue is not unique to Nagpur; across Maharashtra, 53,620 electors faced similar problems, with 3,932 in Nagpur alone.#nagpur #special_intensive_revision #election_commission_of_india #booth_level_officers #book_a_call
Besa Nagar Panchayat Launches Call Centre to Simplify SIR Verification Process Besa Nagar Panchayat has established a dedicated call centre to assist residents in completing the SIR (Slum Improvement and Rehabilitation) verification process and resolve confusion regarding their assigned Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The initiative, operational for nearly a week, aims to streamline the enumeration process by directly contacting citizens to inform them of their designated BLOs and guide them through the procedure. Public Works Committee chairman Mukesh Kale revealed that the call centre was introduced after the panchayat received numerous complaints from residents who were unclear about which BLO they needed to contact. Kale explained that a recent door-to-door survey highlighted significant confusion, as multiple polling booths often fall within a single ward. For instance, Ward 1 contains seven booths, resulting in seven BLOs. This arrangement sometimes leads to members of the same family being linked to different booths, causing multiple BLOs to visit the same household. Using data collected during the survey—including residents’ addresses and contact details—officials are calling households to provide the names and contact information of their respective BLOs. This approach ensures the SIR enumeration process proceeds without disruptions. The survey also uncovered discrepancies in the electoral rolls. While Ward 1 had over 3,000 voters during previous Nagar Panchayat elections, the survey found only approximately 1,900 residents currently residing there. Kale noted that many voters have relocated but remain listed on the rolls. He emphasized that the SIR exercise will address these inconsistencies, ensuring electoral records accurately reflect the current population of eligible voters.#booth_level_officers #mukesh_kale #besa_nagar_panchayat #ward_1 #sir_verification
Fresh Voter Enrolment Process Begins After August 17 Draft Roll Publication Eligible voters in Maharashtra seeking fresh registration, transfer of enrolment to another constituency, or inclusion of names missing from the electoral rolls will be able to apply only after the draft electoral rolls are published on August 17. This follows the revised schedule issued by the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office, which opens the claims and objections window under the Special Intensive Revision process. Pune deputy election officer Minal Kalaskar clarified that electors already registered as of June 18 are covered under the current verification exercise. Citizens eligible for fresh enrolment—including those who turned or will turn 18 years of age after June 18 and before October 1, 2026, individuals who have shifted their ordinary residence to another constituency, and those whose names are missing from the draft rolls—can submit Form 6 along with a declaration form after the draft rolls are published on August 17. The claims window will remain open until September 16, after which Electoral Registration Officers will process applications before the final electoral rolls are published on October 19. Applications can be submitted to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), or at designated centres displaying the draft electoral rolls. Applicants aged between 18 and 21 will need to provide documentary proof of age, while those over 21 can submit a declaration of age. Acceptable residence proof includes a passport, driving licence, ration card, bank or post office passbook, Income-Tax records, and recent utility bills.#booth_level_officers #shivajinagar #electoral_registration_officers #maharashtra_chief_electoral_officer #minal_kalaskar
State Muslim Panel Seeks Extension for SIR Process Nagpur: A high-level delegation from the Federation of Maharashtra Muslims (FMM) recently met with the state’s chief electoral officer to discuss challenges faced during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The delegation submitted a detailed memorandum outlining the difficulties encountered by citizens and proposed measures to enhance transparency, fairness, and accessibility in the electoral process. The memorandum emphasized that the current duration of the enumeration phase is insufficient, citing factors such as heavy rainfall, the agricultural sowing season, displacement due to redevelopment and demolition drives, and other logistical hurdles. The delegation requested an extension of the enumeration period by at least two months, as no immediate elections are planned in Maharashtra. The delegation informed the chief electoral officer that since the start of the SIR process, the FMM has established awareness campaigns and facilitation centers across the state. These centers, staffed by volunteers, have been assisting citizens with the enumeration process and fostering cooperation with Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The federation also highlighted concerns that several voters who successfully participated in the 2024 elections are now unable to locate their names or EPIC records during the current enumeration phase. The delegation urged that such voters should not be forced to apply as fresh applicants without valid justification.#maharashtra #special_intensive_revision #chief_electoral_officer #booth_level_officers #federation_of_maharashtra_muslims
Election Commission Launches Online Portal for SIR Enumeration Form Submission The Election Commission of India has introduced an online platform allowing eligible voters to submit their Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms directly through its official website. This initiative enables electors to complete the process without requiring physical interaction with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), streamlining the procedure for updating electoral records. Voters can authenticate their identity using either their registered mobile number or EPIC (Electors' Photo Identity Card) number, with an OTP (One-Time Password) sent to their mobile device for verification. The SIR exercise, currently underway in the state, aims to ensure electoral rolls are accurate and up-to-date. Under the new system, voters whose names in the electoral roll match those on their Aadhaar card can access the online form-filling facility. The process involves logging into the portal, selecting the "Fill Enumeration Form" option, and entering required details. After submission, the system redirects users to an e-sign page, where an OTP is sent for final authentication. Once verified, the form is successfully uploaded to the commission’s database. The move is part of broader efforts to modernize voter registration and reduce administrative burdens. The Election Commission emphasized that this facility is particularly beneficial for voters who have registered their mobile numbers and whose names align between the electoral roll and Aadhaar records. By eliminating the need for physical forms, the initiative aims to improve accessibility and efficiency, especially in rural and remote areas where traditional methods may be less effective.#electoral_roll #special_intensive_revision #election_commission_of_india #aadhaar_card #booth_level_officers
BLOs Face Public Skepticism and Administrative Notices During SIR Drive Nagpur: Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign are encountering challenges beyond the logistical demands of voter verification. The exercise, which requires door-to-door checks of voter details, has sparked public doubt in some areas. Residents have questioned the authenticity of the process, fearing it could be a scam. In a few localities, this skepticism led to arguments before officials explained the purpose of the revision. Deputy District Election Officer Rachna Indurkar clarified that citizens are entitled to verify the identity of BLOs before sharing personal information. "Every BLO carries an official identity card issued for the exercise. Residents can confirm the official’s credentials before providing details," she said. Indurkar emphasized the need for cooperation to complete the revision within the stipulated timeline. Administrative notices have been issued to around six BLOs for allegedly not prioritizing election work despite repeated instructions. Officials stated that while schools were directed to relieve teachers serving as BLOs of their regular duties, some—particularly those handling Classes 10 and 12—continued taking important lectures before reporting for SIR tasks. The notices aim to ensure uniform compliance, with warnings that similar actions would be taken for any lapses. Logistical challenges also weigh on BLOs, many of whom are teachers assigned to areas far from their homes. One anonymous teacher, based in Godhni but assigned to Hudkeshwar, described the physical toll of the job. "By the time school ends and I reach my assigned area, a substantial part of the day is already over.#special_intensive_revision #hudkeshwar #booth_level_officers #godhni #deputy_district_election_officer_rachna_indurkar
Pre-SIR: 32.4 Lakh Electors Mapped Ahead Of June 30 Nagpur has completed the pre-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mapping exercise, achieving 69.92% coverage of its electoral roll. With 32.43 lakh electors mapped out of a total 46.38 lakh, the district is now preparing for the month-long SIR verification drive starting June 30. Authorities identified 8.75 lakh entries with anomalies, which account for nearly 27% of all mapped voters. These flagged entries will be scrutinized during the upcoming exercise. The pre-SIR phase has shifted focus to field-level readiness, with training programs for officials already underway. Printing of enumeration forms and other materials for the SIR process is also in progress. Deputy district election officer Rachna Indurkar noted that training for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) was completed, and EROs are now conducting sessions for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) between June 20 and June 29. Indurkar emphasized that preparations for the SIR are progressing on schedule. Nagpur has deployed 4,610 BLOs across 4,610 polling stations, all of whom are undergoing training. The actual SIR exercise will commence on June 30 and continue until July 29. During this period, BLOs will conduct door-to-door visits, distribute enumeration forms, and collect verified data. Nagpur continues to report the highest number of anomalous elector entries in the state. The pre-SIR exercise highlighted significant discrepancies, prompting authorities to prioritize thorough verification. Indurkar stated that the focus now is on ensuring smooth execution of the SIR process, which aims to update and validate the electoral roll ahead of upcoming elections.#nagpur #special_intensive_revision #booth_level_officers #electoral_registration_officers #deputy_district_election_officer
3-day SIR Camp at Besa to Update Voter Records Nagpur: The Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat is conducting a three-day Special Intensive Revision (SIR) camp from April 3 to April 5 to streamline and update electoral records. A significant number of residents who relocated to Besa-Pipla from Nagpur city and other regions are not registered as voters, leading to discrepancies in voter rolls and the risk of votes being cast outside the area of residence. The SIR initiative, part of an ongoing nationwide drive, aims to ensure each voter is registered only at their current place of residence, eliminating cases of duplicate or outdated entries. Special camps are being held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at multiple locations across wards. For wards 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, and 11, the camps will be conducted at the Besa-Pipla Nagar Panchayat office. Residents of wards 4 to 7 can visit the Pipla gram panchayat office, while those from wards 12 to 16 have been directed to the Shiv Temple in Beltarodi. For ward 17, the camp will be held at the Zilla Parishad School in Ghogali. Public works chairman Mukesh Kale emphasized that individuals whose names were not part of the electoral rolls prior to 2002 must provide reference details of family members already listed in any constituency. Citizens can submit the required documents to Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Authorities warned that failure to update details could result in names being omitted from electoral rolls. The SIR camp addresses a critical issue of voter registration accuracy, which has become increasingly complex due to population movements and urbanization. The initiative reflects the administration’s effort to align voter records with current demographic realities, ensuring electoral integrity.#booth_level_officers #besa_pipla_nagar_panchayat #mukesh_kale #shiv_temple_beltarodi #zilla_parishad_school_ghogali
BLOs ‘out of reach’, voters struggle with SIR mapping in Nagpur Voters in several parts of Nagpur are facing significant challenges in completing voter mapping under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, with allegations that local Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have become largely unresponsive. Residents from areas such as Mankapur, Sadiqabad Colony, Jafar Nagar, and Jai Hind Nagar have reported repeated failures to contact BLOs, disrupting essential voter services and raising concerns about potential exclusion from electoral rolls. A written complaint dated March 28 highlighted the issue, with local resident Zubin Khan stating that their BLO is "consistently not responding to telephonic calls," leaving voters unable to complete the mandatory mapping process. Similar concerns were raised by Mohammed Fazlul Rahman, who noted that the BLO’s unavailability has caused difficulties for voters, with multiple complaints already lodged with authorities, including the local corporator. Javed Khan, Secretary of Tauheed Masjid in Jai Hind Nagar, reportedly escalated the matter to various officials. The issue has sparked wider concern among citizens, with former director of Epigraphy, GS Khawaja, describing the SIR process as "mind-boggling." He pointed out the complexity of matching voter records from older electoral rolls with updated lists, stating that "finding names in the 2002 list and matching them with the 2025 list is itself a headache. Locating the BLO is another problem." Civil society groups have stepped up efforts to support residents. Volunteers from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (West) have been assisting voters at a help centre set up at Eidgah, Jafar Nagar.#special_intensive_revision #booth_level_officers #zubin_khan #javed_khan #jamaat_e_islamihind_west
Gadchiroli leads voter mapping drive, Nagpur lags far behind Gadchiroli has emerged as the top-performing district in Maharashtra’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, achieving an impressive 82.16% voter mapping as of March 29. This performance places the tribal district at the forefront of the state’s efforts to update voter data, significantly outpacing the state average of 49.22%. Districts like Hingoli (81.92%), Buldhana (77.32%), Parbhani (73.58%), and Nanded (73.57%) also surpassed the 70% threshold, highlighting a stark contrast with Nagpur’s sluggish progress. Nagpur, meanwhile, ranks among the lowest performers, with only 28.88% voter mapping completed, placing it 33rd out of 36 districts. This lag is particularly pronounced when compared to state averages across key indicators. Nagpur’s BLO verification rate stands at 28.82%, far below the state’s 48.98%, while self-marking by electors is just 18.06%, nearly half of the state average of 32.62%. Progeny marking, which identifies new voters, remains critically low at 0.99%, compared to the state’s 5.29%. The disparity in performance mirrors a broader trend in urban Maharashtra, where districts such as Mumbai Suburban (24.41%), Pune (25.78%), and Thane (27.94%) also struggle to meet the state’s benchmarks. Officials note that Nagpur has achieved high verification consistency, with nearly all mapped electors verified by Booth Level Officers. However, the low participation rates suggest challenges in public engagement and operational efficiency. The state’s voter mapping initiative underscores the growing divide between rural and urban areas in terms of electoral data accuracy. While districts like Gadchiroli demonstrate robust progress, Nagpur’s underperformance highlights systemic issues in urban voter registration.#nagpur #maharashtra #special_intensive_revision #gadchiroli #booth_level_officers
