Noida Administration Implements Voter-Friendly Reforms for Unmapped Voters
In a significant move to streamline the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the Gautam Budh Nagar district administration in Noida has introduced a series of innovative measures aimed at reducing inconvenience for voters flagged as "unmapped." These reforms include hearings via video calls, doorstep document verification, and decentralised hearing camps in residential areas with high concentrations of such voters.
Ensuring Inclusion Through Flexible Solutions
District Magistrate Medha Roopam emphasized that the changes are designed to prevent the exclusion of eligible voters who face challenges attending in-person hearings due to work, education, or other personal constraints. The district currently has approximately 1.7 lakh unmapped voters, with notices served to 95% of individuals whose mapping could not be completed using the 2003 SIR voter list based on enumeration form details.
Virtual hearings have been rolled out specifically in Gautam Budh Nagar to accommodate voters who are temporarily out of station, such as those employed in the private sector or pursuing higher education. Under this system, voters can verify their details through a video call with their Booth-Level Officer (BLO), share soft copies of required documents digitally, and have them verified and uploaded during the call, with the interaction recorded as an online hearing.
Decentralised and Weekend Camps for Enhanced Accessibility
To further improve accessibility, the administration has opted for decentralised hearing camps in housing societies and localities with large numbers of unmapped notices. Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) are organizing hearings within residential societies, allowing voters to complete verification closer to home. So far, 114 special camps have been conducted at booth and society levels across the district.
In response to feedback from voters who found weekday hearings conflicting with office hours, the administration has shifted most hearings to weekends. This adjustment aims to boost participation among working voters and ensure broader engagement in the electoral process.
Doorstep Verification for Vulnerable Groups
Unmapped voters are now exempt from physically appearing at hearing centres for document verification. Instead, BLOs, during their door-to-door visits to serve notices, are authorized to collect documents at voters' residences. This "home hearing" model is particularly beneficial for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women managing households, and daily-wage earners.
During these home visits, BLOs can collect documents, upload them via the BLO app, and take photographs, with the entire process treated as a valid hearing. This approach aligns with directives from the state election commission to foster a more inclusive verification process.
Document Requirements and Extended Deadlines
Voters are required to present specific documents based on their birth dates:
- Those born before July 1, 1987, need only personal documents.
- Voters born between July 1, 1987, and December 2, 2004, must also provide documents for one parent.
- Individuals born after December 2, 2004, need to present documents for themselves and both parents.
In Uttar Pradesh, the Election Commission has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections under the SIR exercise. Voters can now submit Forms 6, 7, and 8 until March 6, 2026, to add names, seek corrections, or request deletions from electoral rolls, with the earlier deadline being February 6. The final electoral roll will be published on April 10, following the disposal of all claims and objections by March 27.
Support for BLOs and Community Engagement
Earlier in January, the state election commission allowed unmapped voters to authorize another person in writing to appear for physical hearings on their behalf. Recently, UP Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa reviewed the SIR exercise in Noida and interacted with around 500 BLOs from Dadri, Sadar, and Jewar tehsils during a "samvad" session.
BLOs shared on-ground experiences, challenges, and learnings, including instances of resistance in densely populated areas. Officials noted that resident welfare associations, apartment owners' associations, and the district administration have stepped in to support field staff where necessary, ensuring smoother verification drives.
The administration's proactive measures reflect a commitment to enhancing voter participation and streamlining electoral processes, with a focus on inclusivity and convenience for all citizens.
