ElectoralRoll – Odisha Begins Verification Drive for 58 Lakh Draft Voter Records
ElectoralRoll – The second phase of Odisha’s electoral roll revision has entered a crucial stage, with the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer issuing verification notices to nearly 58 lakh people whose details in the draft voter list require additional confirmation or correction. The exercise is aimed at ensuring that the state’s electoral database remains accurate before the publication of the final voter roll.
Verification Notices Issued Across Two Categories
Chief Electoral Officer S. Gopalan said the ongoing phase focuses on individuals whose records need further scrutiny. According to him, the notices have been divided into two categories based on the nature of the verification required.
The first category includes voters whose details could not be linked with the 2002 electoral roll. Such individuals have been requested to submit any of the prescribed documents to establish their eligibility. The second category covers approximately 46,000 voters whose entries contain minor inaccuracies, including clerical or data-related errors that need correction before the final list is prepared.
Gopalan also clarified that every case will be assessed individually by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). He emphasized that applicants will not be denied consideration merely because documents are not submitted immediately, and personal appearance during hearings will not be mandatory.
Earlier Draft Roll Removed Several Categories of Entries
The latest verification follows the publication of the draft electoral roll earlier this month, during which several categories of voter records were removed after administrative review.
Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sushanta Kumar Mishra stated that around 8.32 lakh names were deleted because the voters were confirmed to be deceased. Another 10.07 lakh entries were removed after authorities found that the individuals had either permanently shifted from their registered addresses or could not be located during verification.
Officials also identified nearly 1.58 lakh duplicate registrations where voters were found to be enrolled at more than one location. These duplicate entries were removed from the draft roll as part of the revision process.
Thousands Await Inclusion After Missing Enumeration Forms
Mishra further explained that nearly 14,000 eligible individuals could not be included in the draft electoral roll because their enumeration forms were not received during the verification exercise. Authorities said these voters still have an opportunity to complete the required process through the claims and objections mechanism.
Election officials have maintained that the revision exercise is intended to improve the accuracy of voter records while providing sufficient opportunity for eligible citizens to have their names included.
Claims and Objections Window Remains Open
The Election Department has allowed voters to file claims, submit supporting documents, or raise objections until August 4. All applications received during this period will undergo verification, and hearings are expected to conclude by September 2.
Officials have encouraged eligible voters to use the available window to correct any inaccuracies or seek inclusion if their names are missing from the draft list. Authorities said each application will be examined according to the applicable electoral rules before a final decision is taken.
Final Electoral Roll Scheduled for September
The draft electoral roll for Odisha was officially published on July 5, 2026, marking the beginning of the public verification stage. Election authorities have described the revision as a transparent and inclusive process designed to maintain an updated and reliable electoral database.
Following the completion of document verification, claims, objections, and hearings, the final electoral roll is scheduled to be released on September 6. Officials say the updated voter list will reflect all approved corrections and verified changes made during the revision exercise.