In a significant move to purify the electoral database, the office of Gujarat's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has announced the identification of a massive number of ineligible voters during an ongoing special revision drive.
Massive Cleanup of Electoral Rolls
The state election authority revealed on Tuesday that a thorough verification process has led to the detection of 16 lakh deceased voters whose names are still on the rolls. Furthermore, 23 lakh voters who have permanently shifted their residence out of Gujarat have also been identified for removal.
In another critical finding, the revision exercise uncovered 2.82 lakh cases of duplicate voter cards within the state. This three-pronged discovery of deceased, relocated, and duplicate entries underscores a major effort to ensure the integrity of the voter list ahead of future elections.
Progress in Digitisation and Enumeration
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign, which includes an enumeration phase continuing until December 11, is also making strides in modernising records. The CEO's office highlighted that four assembly constituencies have achieved complete digitisation of their Enumeration Forms (EFs).
Limkheda, Dhanera, Tharad, and Dhoraji have successfully reached 100% digitisation of EFs. At the district level, Dang is leading the state with an impressive 93.55% digitisation rate. The statement also noted that most districts across Gujarat have accomplished the full distribution of enumeration forms to field officials.
Ensuring Electoral Integrity
This large-scale revision is a foundational step toward conducting free and fair elections. By removing names of those who are no longer eligible, the process aims to create a more accurate and reliable electoral roll. It prevents potential misuse and strengthens public trust in the democratic system.
The systematic cleanup, coupled with the push for complete digitisation, reflects the election machinery's commitment to leveraging technology for greater transparency and efficiency in electoral governance.
