SHILLONG, July 23: Meghalaya’s election machinery has flagged over 74,000 names for potential removal from the state’s voter list, sparking a race against time for residents to verify their status before the draft electoral roll is published on August 5.
The Election Department has identified 74,006 electors under the Absentee, Shifted, Deceased and Duplicate (ASDD) category as of July 21, 2026, representing 2.29 per cent of the state’s total electorate of 23,49,645.
However, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr BDR Tiwari, talking to The Shillong Times, has assured that there is no reason for genuine voters to panic, stressing that the exercise is aimed at cleaning up the electoral rolls while ensuring that every eligible citizen is included.
According to the data, the 74,006 identified cases comprise 7,927 absentee voters, 18,729 shifted voters, 44,012 deceased voters, and 2,892 duplicate entries. Election officials clarified that these are only identified cases requiring verification and have not been automatically deleted from the electoral roll. Any deletion or correction will be carried out only after due verification and in accordance with the provisions of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
The revision exercise has made significant progress across the state. Out of the 23.49 lakh electors, enumeration forms have been distributed to 23.19 lakh voters, covering 98.71 per cent of the electorate. Of these, 16.85 lakh forms, or 74.88 per cent, have already been digitised. The exercise is being carried out by 3,551 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) covering every electoral part in Meghalaya.
The CEO has reiterated that no eligible voter will be excluded merely because his or her name does not appear in the 2005 electoral roll. Any eligible citizen who can establish his or her eligibility by producing any one of the 13 documents prescribed by the Election Commission of India will be considered for inclusion in the electoral roll.
Officials said the objective is to prepare a comprehensive and error-free voter list, not to deprive genuine electors of their voting rights.
The Election Department has also sought to allay concerns among the state’s large floating population. Students, professionals and workers staying outside Meghalaya do not need to return physically to submit their enumeration forms. They can complete the process online through the ECINET platform, making it easier for voters residing outside the state to remain on the electoral roll.
Similarly, if an elector is issued a notice for verification but is unable to appear on the scheduled date, the department has clarified that the individual may request the authorities for a change in the hearing date. Election officials said adequate opportunity will be provided to every genuine voter to establish his or her claim before any final decision is taken.
The draft electoral roll is scheduled to be published on August 5, 2026. Following its publication, electors will have the statutory opportunity to file claims and objections to correct omissions or inaccuracies before the final electoral roll is prepared. Officials emphasized that the draft roll is only an intermediate stage in the revision process and that eligible voters whose names are missing can still seek inclusion during the claims and objections period.
District-wise performance also reflects the rapid progress of the exercise. South West Khasi Hills, South West Garo Hills, West Jaintia Hills and East Garo Hills have achieved 100 per cent distribution of enumeration forms, while West Khasi Hills has emerged as the leading district in digitisation with 91.11 per cent, followed by South West Khasi Hills and Eastern West Khasi Hills, both at 85.13 per cent.
As part of efforts to ensure transparency and public confidence, Dr. Tiwari also held a meeting with recognised national and state political parties on July 21 to review the progress of the Special Intensive Revision. The Election Department acknowledged the appointment of 892 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) by political parties, whose participation is expected to strengthen verification and make the revision process more transparent and inclusive.
The Election Department has appealed to all eligible electors who are yet to submit their enumeration forms to do so before the prescribed deadline, reiterating that the ongoing revision is intended to ensure that every eligible citizen finds a place on the electoral roll while only ineligible entries are removed after due legal process.
