Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) R.S. Gopalan on Friday called upon District Collectors and District Election Officers (DEOs) to ensure meticulous planning and timely execution of all activities linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the 2026 Electoral Rolls.
Chairing a virtual review meeting, he emphasized that the exercise must be conducted strictly in line with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to guarantee transparency and credibility.
The review meeting assessed the present status of preparations at the field level and the steps taken so far to ensure smooth conduct of the revision.
Gopalan underscored the need for officers to remain proactive and extend full support to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), not only during the revision process but also in routine electoral work. He highlighted the importance of timely compliance with ECI directives and urged Collectors and DEOs to anticipate challenges and prepare in advance.
During the discussion, officials deliberated on the comparison of electoral rolls between 2002 and 2025, disposal of applications received through Forms 6, 7, and 8 by September 25, readiness for printing and distribution of enumeration forms among BLOs immediately after the schedule is announced, and measures to fill vacant posts connected with election duties.
They also reviewed logistical arrangements, including manpower support for uploading enumeration forms at centralized locations, preparedness for holding press conferences and meetings with political parties on the day of SIR declaration, and plans for conducting a second round of training for BLOs and other election functionaries.
Reiterating that transparency and accuracy must remain central to the exercise, the CEO said that the Special Intensive Revision is a crucial step in ensuring the credibility of the state’s electoral process, and its success will depend on the efficiency and coordination of officials at every level.
