SHILLONG, July 21: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) BDR Tiwari on Tuesday ruled out any extension for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Meghalaya, expressing confidence that the state will meet the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) timeline.
Addressing a press conference, Tiwari confirmed that the SIR will proceed as scheduled, with house-to-house verification concluding on July 29. The draft electoral roll is set for publication on August 5.
Following the publication, the window for filing claims and objections will open from August 5 to September 4. Authorities aim to dispose of all claims by October 3, with the final electoral roll scheduled for publication on October 7.
Meghalaya has reported significant progress in the revision, with 98.17 per cent of enumeration forms distributed across the state as of July 21. Of the 23,49,645 total electors, 23,06,605 forms have been distributed, and 14,07,446 forms (62.15 per cent) have been digitised.
The CEO urged eligible electors who have not yet submitted their forms to do so by the July 29 deadline through Booth Level Officers (BLOs) or the ECI Net App.
He warned that missing the deadline would result in names being excluded from the draft roll.
West Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, and South West Garo Hills have achieved 100 per cent form distribution. In digitisation, West Khasi Hills leads with 79.86 per cent, followed by South West Khasi Hills at 78.5 per cent.
The revision process has also identified 53,908 electors (2.29 per cent of the electorate) under the Absentee, Shifted, Deceased, and Duplicate (ASDD) categories. This includes 32,382 deceased electors and 13,379 who have shifted. Tiwari clarified that all ASDD cases will be handled under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, ensuring proper verification and a hearing for concerned electors before any final decision.
The CEO’s office is conducting weekly video conferences with District Election Officers and Electoral Registration Officers to monitor progress. Deputy Commissioners are also conducting field visits to address local concerns.
Tiwari noted that representatives of recognised national and state political parties were briefed on the SIR’s progress earlier today. He thanked parties for appointing 892 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to assist voters, noting that major parties like the NPP, UDP, Congress, BJP, VPP, and TMC have already deployed agents.
Clarifying procedural queries, the CEO stated that electors who submitted forms online do not need to provide physical copies, though BLOs will still verify details during field visits. He added that relatives are permitted to sign forms for electors residing outside Meghalaya or abroad. Furthermore, electors or their descendants already listed in the 2005 electoral roll do not need to provide fresh documentary proof.
Tiwari reported that no major complaints have been received and appealed for public cooperation to ensure an accurate, transparent, and inclusive electoral roll.
