Malkangiri: In a major effort to ensure inclusive participation in the democratic process, the Malkangiri district administration has successfully conducted an extensive voter awareness campaign under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme as part of the Special Summary Revision (SSR)-2026 of electoral rolls.
Acting on the directives of the Election Commission of India, the district administration launched the campaign with the objective of reaching every eligible citizen, particularly those residing in the district’s remote and hilly regions. Special focus was placed on creating awareness among members of the Bonda and Didayi primitive tribal groups as well as Koya tribal communities living in geographically isolated areas.
As part of the outreach initiative, special awareness camps were organised in several gram panchayats under Khairput and Padia blocks. Officials interacted directly with local residents and encouraged them to participate actively in the electoral process by exercising their voting rights.
The campaign was carried out under the leadership of Malkangiri Sub-Collector and District SVEEP Nodal Officer Duryodhan Bhoi. Senior district and block-level officials visited remote tribal habitations and held discussions with community members on the importance of voter participation.
Among those present were the Khairput Block Development Officer and Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), Kudumulgumma Tahsildar and AERO, Padia Block Development Officer and AERO Ashwini Kumar Mahapatra, Additional District Magistrate and AERO K. Ashok Chakravarty, and Assistant District Magistrate Ajay Mandangi.
Officials explained the procedures for inclusion of names in the electoral roll, deletion of entries of deceased or migrated voters, and correction of errors in voter identity cards. Demonstrations were conducted to help residents understand the process in a simple and accessible manner.
To strengthen outreach among the Bonda community, the Project Director of the Bonda Development Agency, Mudulipada, and his team actively participated in the awareness drive. The programme was designed keeping in mind the language and cultural sensitivities of the primitive tribal communities, with officials explaining the significance of every vote in a democracy.
Local tribal residents appreciated the administration’s efforts and expressed willingness to verify their names in the electoral rolls during the revision process.
District SVEEP officials said the campaign aims to ensure that no eligible citizen is deprived of his or her democratic right to vote and that electoral participation remains truly inclusive across the district.
