Assam SIR: BLOs to check for ‘non-human’, ‘no image’ entries
In its instructions to Assam’s chief election officer, the poll authority said “software-based” reports should be generated for ‘black and white images’, ‘unspecified images’, ‘non-human images’ and ‘no images’ entries.
“For replacement of such images, field verification of the booth level officer (BLO) should be done and necessary applications (Form-8 with photograph as per specifications) should always be received from the voters and a proper record of such replacement should be maintained,” the EC order said.
Additionally, BLOs are also authorized to take photographs of voters as an option, an EC official said.
Regarding the removal of inconsistencies and possible duplicate or multiple entries in the electoral rolls, the commission stated that all logical errors should be removed, addresses should be standardized and the quality of photographs should be checked before the draft is published.
Regarding the use of notional house numbers, the Electoral Commission clarified that this will not affect the legal status of the relevant properties. “The purpose of allocating a notional house number is to keep voters from only one household at a polling station during rationalization of polling stations. In addition to allocating the notional house number, the BLO should also mention the nearby landmark so that the house can be clearly identified during the investigation.” he said. Following intense private revision of Voter rolls during the Bihar period on social media, some managed to put pictures of cats and dogs in the voter rolls to prove flaws in the system.
On November 17, the Election Commission had ordered ‘Special Revision’ of electoral rolls in Assam. According to the calendar, the final voter list will be published on February 10, 2026.
Jan. 1, 2026, will be the appropriate date for the state to conduct the special revision, according to the poll panel’s instructions issued to the state election chief.
According to officials, the special revision falls somewhere between the annual special summary revision and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
“This is, in a way, an upgrade from the special summary revision…instead of enumeration forms, booth-level officers will verify voters through a pre-filled register,” explained a senior official.
“There are special provisions for citizenship in Assam. Verification of citizenship is currently being done under the supervision of the Supreme Court and is in the final stages. Therefore, special revision (SR) is being ordered instead of special intensive revision (SIR),” the official said. he said.
