Electoral Roll Revision: 2.4 Lakh Notices Issued to Unmapped Voters in Noida, Ghaziabad
As hearings continue under the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, election authorities have issued notices to approximately 2.4 lakh unmapped voters across Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar districts. This significant administrative exercise reveals a sharp contrast in new voter enrollment patterns between the two neighboring districts, highlighting regional disparities in electoral participation.
Notice Distribution and Hearing Process
In Ghaziabad district, officials confirmed that at least 80,000 notices were served out of 1.5 lakh unmapped voters identified during the revision exercise. Meanwhile, in Gautam Budh Nagar, authorities issued notices to at least 1.6 lakh voters from the over 1.7 lakh unmapped individuals identified. This brings the combined total of notices served in both districts to well over 2 lakh, demonstrating the scale of the electoral cleanup operation.
The hearings, which commenced on January 21, are currently ongoing across dedicated centers. Election authorities established twenty-one hearing centers in Ghaziabad and thirty-five in Gautam Budh Nagar, where additional electoral registration officers (AEROs) are conducting proceedings and verifying documentation. Officials emphasize that hearings at all centers are being conducted systematically to ensure cases of unmapped voters are resolved before the February 27 deadline.
Daily Hearings and Voter Accessibility Guidelines
Authorities confirmed that hearings before AEROs are being conducted on a daily basis to expedite the process. According to the latest Uttar Pradesh Election Commission guidelines, unmapped voters who cannot attend hearings in person have the option to send authorized representatives with required documents. This provision aligns with the commission's objective of "no voter left behind" and aims to make the revision process simple, accessible, and inclusive while minimizing inconvenience to voters.
The guidelines specifically state: "In line with the commission's objective and to make the revision process simple, accessible and inclusive and to minimize inconvenience to voters, those voters who are unable to appear in person for the hearing may be exempted from personal appearance before electoral registration officers. Such voters must authorize a person in writing, by signature or thumb impression, to represent them at the hearing."
Clarification on Online Submission Requirements
Some unmapped voters raised concerns regarding hearing attendance requirements after submitting documents online through the Election Commission of India portal. A resident of Omicron-1 in Greater Noida shared: "I checked the ECI website and saw that I was served a notice. I uploaded my documents online and received a reference number, but the message didn't clarify whether I still need to attend the hearing."
Officials clarified that while voters can view notices and upload documents through the online portal, this electronic submission alone does not fulfill the requirement. Attendance at the hearing—either personally or through an authorized representative—remains mandatory for all unmapped voters who have received notices.
Contrasting New Voter Enrollment Trends
The two districts show markedly different patterns in new voter enrollment during the revision period. Ghaziabad district has experienced a steady flow of new voter applications, with approximately 1.5 lakh applications currently in process. During two-day enrollment camps held on Sunday and Monday alone, over 50,000 applications were received. In total, nearly 2 lakh new voter applications are under active processing in Ghaziabad.
Saurabh Bhatt, additional district magistrate and election officer for Ghaziabad, explained their outreach strategy: "We are holding intensive outreach programs and have instructed Booth Level Officers to check houses where voters may have shifted, potentially leaving new residents who need enrollment. We're also distributing Form 6 through ration shops across the district, asking operators to inquire about customers' voter registration status and provide forms to unregistered individuals."
In contrast, Gautam Budh Nagar has recorded comparatively lower enrollment figures. Since January 6, when draft rolls were published, only around 14,000 new voter applications have been received. Earlier, between November and early January, approximately 32,000 forms were submitted. Overall, about 46,000 voter applications are currently under process in Gautam Budh Nagar district.
Officials from both districts confirmed that the electoral roll revision procedure remains ongoing, with continued efforts to ensure comprehensive voter inclusion before the approaching deadline.
