Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has announced that the draft electoral roll for 2026 will be published on July 5, marking a key milestone in the state’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. Ahead of its release, the Election Department reviewed preparations and held an all-party meeting to ensure a transparent and error-free revision process.
The consultative meeting, chaired by Chief Electoral Officer R. S. Gopalan on Wednesday, brought together representatives of recognised political parties to discuss the progress of the revision exercise and preparations for the publication of the draft voter list.
Election Authorities Review Preparations
During the meeting, officials reviewed the status of the distribution and collection of statutory forms under the Special Intensive Revision programme. Discussions also focused on the progress of data digitisation, verification procedures, and other logistical arrangements required for the timely publication of the draft electoral roll.
Election officials said the ongoing revision exercise aims to ensure that the electoral roll remains accurate, updated, and inclusive ahead of future elections.
Political Parties Asked to Verify Draft Roll
Chief Electoral Officer R. S. Gopalan urged representatives of all recognised political parties to carefully examine the draft electoral roll once it is published.
He emphasised that active participation by political parties during the verification process would help identify errors, remove ineligible entries, and ensure that every eligible voter is included in the final electoral roll.
Officials said the cooperation of political parties, election staff, and citizens will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the voter database.
Claims and Objections from July 5
Following the publication of the draft electoral roll, the Election Department will open a one-month window for citizens to submit claims and objections.
The process will remain open from July 5 to August 4, 2026, allowing voters to apply for inclusion of new names, request corrections, or raise objections regarding existing entries.
During this period, citizens will be able to verify their details and report any discrepancies before the electoral roll is finalised.
Forms for Different Services
The Election Commission has designated separate statutory forms for different types of applications under the revision process.
- Form 6 – For inclusion of a new voter’s name in the electoral roll.
- Form 7 – For deletion of an existing name from the electoral roll.
- Form 8 – For correction of personal details or updating information in the electoral roll.
Officials have advised eligible voters to use the appropriate form while submitting applications to ensure quicker processing.
Focus on Error-Free Electoral Roll
The Special Intensive Revision exercise is conducted periodically to update electoral rolls by adding newly eligible voters, removing duplicate or ineligible entries, and correcting errors in voter records.
Election authorities have reiterated their commitment to preparing a comprehensive and error-free electoral roll through close coordination with political parties, Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and the general public.
Citizens have been encouraged to verify their names and personal details once the draft roll is published and promptly submit any claims or objections within the prescribed timeline to avoid inconvenience during future elections.
