SHILLONG — 542 names have so far failed Meghalaya’s electoral-roll scrutiny, but the much larger number in the exercise is the 6.51 lakh electors who received notices during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Chief Electoral Officer Dr B. D. R. Tiwari said on Tuesday that 6,46,397 of the 6,51,735 notices generated had been delivered, with 5,36,468 hearings already completed. That represents 82.31% of the notices issued.
Tiwari said 542 electors had been found ineligible for inclusion in the final electoral roll after scrutiny and the required process.
But a notice is not a deletion order. The CEO stressed that electors facing notices must be given an opportunity to explain discrepancies and produce supporting documents.
“No name appearing in the draft electoral roll will be deleted without following due process and providing a fair, reasonable, and sufficient opportunity of the hearing,” he said.
The numbers from the claims process show that the revision is also generating requests from voters themselves. Officials have received 17,061 applications, including 9,343 Form 6 applications seeking inclusion, 1,076 Form 7 applications for deletion, 1,211 Form 8 applications for shifting and 5,431 Form 8 applications for corrections.
The next deadline is close. September 18 is the last date for filing claims and objections, while hearings and disposal of applications will continue until October 17. The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on October 21.
Tiwari also addressed one of the practical issues arising during verification: documentation. Aadhaar can be submitted, but an additional supporting document is required where prescribed. An incomplete submission should not result in immediate rejection, he said, with electors to be given an opportunity to provide another valid document.
A marriage certificate can also be accepted as an additional document where relevant, including certain address changes after marriage, but it is not a mandatory document.
The revision now moves into its final stretch with thousands of claims, corrections and hearings still being processed before the final roll is published.
