SIR in Chandigarh: Over 600 BLOs to reach out to 5.2 lakh electors

Chandigarh: With the Election Commission of India announcing the third phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 16 states and 3 Union Territories (UTs), more than 600 booth level officers (BLOs), assisted by 1,143 booth level agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties, will conduct house-to-house visits to reach all 5.18 lakh electors during the Enumeration Phase in Chandigarh.

House to house visits by booth level officers (BLOs) will be done between June 15 and July 14. Rationalisation of polling stations will be done by July 14.

Publication of draft electoral roll will be done by July 21. The period for filing of claims will be between July 21 and August 8. The notice phase and disposal of claims and objections will be done between July 21 and September 18. Publication of the final electoral roll will be done by September 22.

Chandigarh is a single Parliamentary Constituency with approximately 5.18 lakh electors currently registered across 614 polling stations located at 210 polling station locations.

The qualifying date for SIR in UT Chandigarh is July 1.

This revision will be conducted in accordance with the guidelines and schedule prescribed by the Election Commission of India. The objective of this intensive revision is to ensure that the names of all eligible citizens are included in the electoral roll so that they may exercise their right to vote, that no ineligible person is included and that the process of addition or deletion of names in the electoral roll remains completely transparent.

The last intensive revision in Chandigarh was conducted in the year 2002. In view of rapid urbanisation, continuous migration, young citizens attaining the age of 18 years and becoming eligible to vote, delays in receipt of information regarding deaths and the inclusion of names of illegal foreign nationals in the electoral roll, this intensive revision has become essential for preparing an error-free and reliable electoral roll.

“SIR is a participative exercise involving all stakeholders, including electors, political parties and election officials. All political parties are requested to appoint BLAs for each polling booth to ensure complete transparency and full participation in the conduct of the SIR process,” said an official.