Chandigarh, Oct 12 (PTI) Punjab’s final electoral roll published on Monday recorded over 2.01 crore voters, a decline of more than 13.60 lakh or 6.33 per cent, from the 2.14 crore electors registered before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
However, the final count marked a 3.64 per cent increase over the 1,93,94,435 (1.93 crore) electors listed in the draft electoral roll published on August 13.
The final electoral roll comprises 1,03,76,026 (1.03 crore) male, 97,24,195 (97.24 lakh) female and 506 third gender electors.
The reduction in the electorate compared with the pre-SIR figures was attributed to deaths, voters shifting permanently, voters being absent or duplication of votes.
In accordance with the instructions of the Election Commission of India, the SIR of electoral rolls was undertaken in Punjab from June 25.
The border state was included in Phase-III of the SIR, 2026.
Punjab had 2,14,61,043 (2.14 crore) registered electors as on June 9, comprising 1,11,76,866 (1.11 crore) male, 1,02,83,478 (1.02 crore) female and 699 third gender electors.
“The electorate increased from 1,93,94,435 (1.93 crore) total electors in the draft roll to 2,01,00,727 (2.01 crore) in the final roll, representing a net increase of 3.64 per cent,” said Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anindita Mitra.
She further said 7,97,263 (7.97 lakh) new electors were enrolled in the final electoral roll.
During the house-to-house enumeration phase from June 25 to August 3, booth level officers (BLOs) distributed enumeration forms to registered electors and collected, said Mitra.
The draft electoral roll was published on August 13, with a total of 1,93,94,435 (1.93 crore) electors.
At that time, 20,66,608 electors, accounting for 9.63 per cent of total electors, were categorised as absent, shifted, dead or duplicate (ASDD).
Copies of the draft electoral roll were handed over to the representatives of political parties statewide for their active participation during the claims and objections period.
During the claims and objections period between August 13 and September 12, citizens were encouraged to verify their details in the draft electoral roll and submit claims or objections, if any, she said.
Applications were accepted online through the ECINET Mobile App, offline via BLOs or at the offices of electoral registration officers (EROs).
During this phase, the Punjab CEO, 19 roll observers and district election officers (DEOs) conducted extensive field visits and super-checking of the claims and objections received.
The notice phase or disposal of claims and objections from August 13 to October 8 involved serving notices to unmapped electors and electors with discrepancies.
Eighty-six thousand thirty-eight of 35,49,036 (35.49 lakh) electors, who were issued notices, were marked ineligible after extensive verification and through speaking orders.
Polling station rationalisation was carried out across all districts, increasing the number of polling stations from 24,453 to 25,332 to enhance voter accessibility, the CEO said.
A month-long SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) plan was implemented using multichannel outreach.
Special camps were organised at polling booths on June 7, July 11-12, July 19 and August 16 to facilitate electors in checking and submitting their details.
Special camps were also held in colleges and schools across Punjab to enrol young voters.
Regular meetings with recognised political parties were held at the state and district level, ensuring their active involvement throughout the process.
Mitra reiterated that every possible effort has been made to reach out to all eligible electors.
The SIR, 2026 was successfully completed in Punjab in a smooth, transparent and time-bound manner in accordance with the directions of the Election Commission of India, she said.
The successful completion reflects the coordinated efforts of election machinery, the cooperation of electors and the active participation of all stakeholders, she further said.
The CEO urged eligible persons who, for any reason, could not be included in the final electoral roll after its publication, or new electors seeking enrolment, to apply online through the ECINET App or offline through their respective BLO by filling out Form 6. PTI CHS KSS
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