Page 27 - NIS English 16-31 Jan, 2026

COVER STORY

National Voters’ Day Special

What is the process?
process. In the second phase, the process was
conducted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, n The most important aspect of this
Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, process is that the BLO (Booth Level
Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Officer) has to visit each household at
Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. This phase involved
approximately 51 crore voters. In this phase, 5.33 least three times, if necessary, to distribute
lakh polling stations were set up, where Booth Level and collect enumeration forms and to
Officers (BLOs) carried out their responsibilities. cross-check them with old SIR records.
n This helps in identifying cases of death,
SIR has been conducted 8 times permanent relocation, or duplicate entries.
n This entire process involves the Electoral
First 1952-56 Registration Officer (ERO), Assistant
Second 1957-61 Electoral Registration Officer (AERO),
District Election Officer, and Booth
Third 1965-66 Level Agents appointed by recognized
Fourth 1983-84 political parties.
Fifth 1987-89 n SIR involves door-to-door verification.
Sixth 1992-93 The Booth Level Officer of each polling
station visits the voter’s house, distributes
Seventh 1995 and collects the enumeration form.
Eighth 2002-04 n They cross-check the information with
old records and identify cases of death,
permanent relocation, or duplicate
The principle of “one person,
one vote” has been strengthened entries. The details are verified at
multiple levels.
n Wherever SIR has been conducted so far, new voters have n After this, the preliminary list is
been added. Names of deceased and permanently shifted published. There is a legal provision
individuals have been removed. for filing a first appeal with the District
n The voter list has become more accurate and reliable. Magistrate and a second appeal with
n This strengthens the principle of “one person, one vote” the Chief Electoral Officer in case of
objections.
and increases public confidence in the electoral process.

IDEA) for the year 2026. This chairmanship is a signifi- Member States of International IDEA, India has consis-
cant achievement that grants the Election Commission tently contributed to the organization’s governance,
of India global recognition as one of the world’s most democratic dialogue, and institutional initiatives. It has
reliable and innovative election management bodies continuously upheld the dignity of the faith reposed in it
(EMBs). As a founding member of the Council of by the framers of the Constitution.

January 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 25