JMM seeks detailed clarification from CEO on Voter Verification Drive

Surendra Soren

Ranchi

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has sought detailed clarifications from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) over alleged discrepancies in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, expressing concern about the large number of voters categorized as “unmapped” and the transparency of the verification process.

In a letter to the CEO, JMM General Secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey requested that key information related to the revision exercise be made public within 15 days. The party sought details on the number of voters placed under “anomaly” and “unmapped” categories, the corrective measures taken by election authorities, and instructions issued to election officials involved in the process.

The party also asked whether Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been directed to conduct physical verification on at least two separate occasions before any unmapped voter is considered for deletion from the electoral rolls. It further sought clarification on the deployment of Santhali-speaking BLOs or support staff in tribal-dominated areas, particularly the Santhal Pargana region.

JMM demanded a separate list of voters added through Form-6 applications and written assurances that voters would not face deletion proceedings under Form-7 solely on the basis of being categorized as unmapped. The party stressed that the revision process must remain transparent and ensure that no eligible voter is excluded.

Referring to alleged irregularities reported during similar exercises in Bihar and West Bengal, JMM said it would closely monitor the process in Jharkhand to prevent any such situation in the state. The party has also intensified grassroots outreach by training Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and directing workers to assist voters in verifying their electoral records.

According to election officials, Jharkhand has around 26.4 million registered voters. Under the SIR exercise, electoral records are being linked with the 2003 voter database through parental mapping. By May 2026, nearly 75 percent of voters had been successfully mapped, while the remaining electors were classified as unmapped and would undergo further verification.

The Election Commission has made unmapped voter lists available at polling booths, and around 32,000 BLOs are set to conduct door-to-door verification from June 30. Draft electoral rolls are expected to be published in August.

Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar has said every effort is being made to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral rolls. Unmapped voters, he said, will be allowed to submit supporting documents for verification and inclusion. While the BJP has defended the exercise as necessary to improve the accuracy of voter lists, JMM has urged the Election Commission to maintain complete transparency and engage with political stakeholders throughout the process.