Prayagraj Launches Massive Electoral Roll Revision Drive with 225 Special Courts
The district administration in Prayagraj has initiated a comprehensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, establishing an extensive network of 225 courts across the city to manage the high volume of cases efficiently. This large-scale operation aims to streamline the verification process for voters whose details require confirmation.
Booth Level Officers Begin Household Visits for Notice Delivery
Booth level officers (BLOs) have commenced door-to-door visits to deliver notices to voters identified for verification. Under the directives of District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma, specific locations have been designated in each assembly constituency to facilitate smooth hearings.
In the Allahabad West assembly constituency, courts have been set up at 17 locations, while Allahabad North has 13 and Allahabad South has 20. Officials report that so far, 2,26,633 notices have been issued across Prayagraj district. However, the response rate remains low, with only 941 voters submitting their replies to date.
Hearings are expected to continue for several days at these designated courts. Election authorities anticipate a gradual increase in responses as more voters receive notices and approach the authorities with the necessary documentation.
Document Requirements for New Voter Registration in Prayagraj
As part of the SIR initiative, the administration has clarified the documents required for new voter registrations. Applicants can submit any of the following:
- Birth certificate
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Driving licence
- High school or intermediate certificates
For applicants aged 18 to 21 years who lack these documents, an affidavit signed by their parents—or by a guru in the case of transgender applicants—presented before the BLO or Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) will be accepted. If parents are deceased, a birth certificate issued by the village head or councilor will be considered valid.
Applicants above 21 years of age may submit a declaration before the designated BLO, ERO, or returning officer, accompanied by documents such as gas connection papers, electricity or water bills, and an Aadhaar card.
Significant Deletions and Pending Notices in Electoral Rolls
During the ongoing SIR campaign in Prayagraj, more than 11 lakh voters' names have been deleted from the electoral rolls, with the majority belonging to the ASD category. Concurrently, notices are yet to be issued to 10.62 lakh voters.
Officials noted that 2.87 lakh voters could not be mapped earlier. Additionally, approximately 7.5 lakh voters with partial discrepancies in their names or addresses were categorized under no-mapping and will receive notices.
Responding to these notices is mandatory, and failure to submit the required documents will result in the deletion of names from the electoral rolls. Election officials have acknowledged that further deletions are likely as the revision progresses.
Urgent Appeal for Timely Submission of Documents
Voters are strongly encouraged to ensure the submission of their documents to retain their names in the final electoral roll, which is scheduled for publication on March 6. Deputy District Election Officer Pooja Mishra has made a heartfelt appeal to Prayagraj voters who have received notices to submit their replies and documents at the earliest opportunity.
She also urged applicants who have filled Form-6 for new voter registration to provide the necessary documents to secure their inclusion in the final list. Mishra added that elderly voters, persons with disabilities, or those temporarily out of the city may be represented by family members for this process.
Voters can verify their details online for convenience. Those issued notices must submit any one valid identity document issued by government or public sector bodies. Acceptable documents include:
- Pension payment orders
- Birth certificates
- Passports
- Certificates issued by recognised boards or universities
- Permanent residence certificates
- Caste certificates
- NRC records
- Family registers
- Government-issued land or house allotment documents
This extensive revision drive underscores the administration's commitment to maintaining accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls, ensuring a fair and transparent voting process for all eligible citizens in Prayagraj.
