Guwahati, 16 October (HS): The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Assam, has announced the schedule for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of photo electoral rolls, along with the rationalisation and reorganisation of polling stations, to ensure accurate, accessible, inclusive and error-free electoral rolls.

According to a press note issued by the CEO's office on Friday, the exercise will include a 100% physical verification of existing polling stations and relevant electoral roll sections before rationalisation and reorganisation.

As part of the exercise, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will assess the need for additional polling stations. The number of voters at a polling station will not exceed 1,200 without prior approval from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Before proposing new polling stations, authorities will rationalise the distribution of voters among nearby polling stations to ensure a balanced allocation.

The authorities will clearly define the jurisdiction of each polling station and ensure that voters do not have to travel more than two kilometres to reach their designated polling stations or cross natural barriers. Polling stations will preferably be located on the ground floor or at ground level to improve accessibility.

Special attention will be given to high-rise buildings, group housing societies, residential welfare associations with common facilities or community halls, and urban slum areas. Surveys will be conducted to identify suitable locations in accordance with the ECI's guidelines issued on September 22, 2023.

Physical Verification and Approval

District Election Officers (DEOs), through senior officials, will ensure 100 per cent physical verification of all existing and proposed polling stations. The inspection will assess the condition and suitability of buildings and their compliance with the Commission's prescribed standards for conducting elections. Designated officials will certify the inspections.

Before finalising proposals for new polling stations, DEOs will consult representatives of recognised political parties. Consolidated proposals will subsequently be forwarded to the CEO, Assam, for submission to the ECI for approval. Any proposal to shift a polling station will be submitted only after physical verification and inspection, along with the latitude and longitude of the proposed location.

EROs will also initiate action, in accordance with prescribed procedures, to identify and remove duplicate entries, names of deceased voters and voters who have permanently shifted, using Form 7 and other applicable provisions. All claims and objections received during the continuous updation process will be disposed of before publication of the draft electoral rolls.

Revision Schedule

The rationalisation and reorganisation of polling stations must be completed by November 2, 2026, while the integrated draft electoral rolls will be published on November 12.

The period for filing claims and objections will run from November 12 to December 11, 2026. All claims and objections will be disposed of by December 28, and the final electoral rolls will be published on January 4, 2027.

The CEO's office and DEOs will maintain regular communication with political parties to share updates on the progress of the revision and obtain their feedback.

The Chief Electoral Officer has urged all voters, recognised political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate in the exercise. The initiative aims to strengthen the accuracy and credibility of electoral rolls, improve access to polling stations and ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their democratic right.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash