JAMMU, JAN 22: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) announced the publication of the final electoral rolls today, reflecting the addition of 2.31 lakh new voters in Jammu and Kashmir. The comprehensive update, as detailed in a press handout from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, included the deletion of 86,000 names due to various reasons, with corrections made for 1.45 lakh electors during the process.
The current electoral landscape stands at 86.93 lakh electors, comprising 44.35 lakh male and 42.58 lakh female voters. Notably, the elector population ratio has improved from 0.59 to 0.60, and the gender ratio has seen an uptick from 924 to 954.
Following the directives of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Roll, with a qualifying date of January 1, 2024, was executed in two major stages. The first stage, conducted from June to September 2023, involved training sessions for electoral officers, house-to-house visits, and the rationalization of polling stations. During this phase, 259 new polling stations were created in consultation with political parties.
The second stage commenced with the publication of the Draft Electoral Roll on October 17, 2023. District Election Officers engaged stakeholders, including state and national political parties, in meetings to explain the process and encourage participation. The Chief Electoral Officer sent letters to political parties, seeking their active involvement through appointing Booth Level Agents.
Public awareness campaigns were conducted through print and electronic media, social media, and hoardings, informing citizens about the revision process. The toll-free number and voter helpline app were highlighted, and special camps were organized for filing claims and objections until November 30, 2023.
Electoral Registration Officers accepted and processed claims and objections, deciding on them by January 12, 2024. Special Roll Observers were appointed to closely monitor the process, ensuring compliance with the ECI’s directions. Special Assistant Electoral Registration Officers held camps for Kashmir migrants, and efforts were made to include vulnerable groups such as specially-abled persons, elders above 80 years, nomads, women, and the third gender.
The transparency of the process was emphasized, with weekly status updates on claims and objections made available to the public. Despite proactive measures, only a few Booth Level Agents were appointed by political parties, highlighting the need for increased engagement from various community levels.
The final electoral rolls are now accessible in all polling stations, offices of Electoral Registration Officers, District Election Officers, and the Chief Electoral Officer’s website. The meticulous revision reflects a commitment to ensuring a healthy and inclusive electoral roll in Jammu and Kashmir.
