Guwahati: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday said that just 500 appeals were received following the Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls conducted in Assam (Assam Electoral Roll Revision).
Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Kumar pointed out that the number is small when compared to the state’s total electorate of around 2.5 crore. He said the figure indicates that the revision exercise was carried out smoothly.
The CEC was addressing the media at the end of his two-day visit to the poll-bound state, which began on February 16. He was accompanied by Election Commissioners Dr. SS Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, along with senior officials of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
He explained that while the ECI is conducting Special Intensive Revision in other poll-bound states, Assam underwent a Special Revision because the publication of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) is in its final stage in the state.
According to Kumar, the purpose of the Special Revision was clear: to ensure that all eligible voters are included in the electoral rolls and that the names of ineligible voters are removed. He also appreciated the work of Block Level Officers and officials of the state Election Department for carrying out the process.
On the announcement of election dates, the CEC said the Commission has reviewed Assam’s overall preparedness. However, the schedule will be finalised after a meeting of the ECI in Delhi. He added that the Commission will take into account the Rongali Bihu festival while deciding the poll dates.
The elections will be held across 31,486 polling stations in the state. Kumar said that each polling station will have no more than 1,200 voters, a step aimed at ensuring smoother voting.
For the first time, he said, live webcasting will be arranged at all polling stations in Assam to enhance transparency. Colour photographs of candidates will also be included to help voters identify them more easily.
As per the final electoral rolls published by the Chief Electoral Officer, Assam, the state has 2.49 crore eligible electors. This includes 1,24,75,583 female voters and 1,24,82,213 male voters. The rolls also record 343 electors belonging to the third gender category.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar Commends Nagaon District Administration for Special Revision of Electoral Rolls