Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday assured that the upcoming electoral roll revision will be conducted in a balanced manner, ensuring genuine citizens are not harassed while preventing non-citizens from being included in the state’s voter list.
Replying to a cut motion in the Assembly, Sangma explained that the Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) is aimed at correcting errors, removing duplicate entries, and verifying questionable records. The process will include house-to-house enumeration, requiring each elector to submit an enumeration form.
The Chief Minister clarified that voters already registered as of January 1, 2003, will not need to submit fresh documents, a measure approved by the Election Commission of India to ease the burden on elderly citizens.
Sangma highlighted the necessity of the revision due to demographic changes over the past two decades caused by urbanization, migration, and other factors. He emphasized that the exercise is essential for maintaining an accurate and credible electoral roll.
To ensure smooth implementation, comprehensive training will be provided to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) on household visits, document verification, and handling claims and objections. Addressing concerns about rural and border residents, he assured, “Genuine citizens will not be disenfranchised because of procedural difficulties.”