Odisha Chief Electoral Officer Holds Sensitization Meeting on Independent Intensive Revision

The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, R.S. Gopalan (IAS), recently chaired a sensitization meeting on the independent intensive revision of electoral rolls. The meeting brought together key officials, including Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Laxmi Prasad Sahu, Public Relations Officer Saurabh Pradhan, and all District Information and Public Relations Officers from across the state.

Purpose and Importance of the Intensive Revision

During the meeting, CEO Gopalan emphasized the critical objectives and timely necessity of the independent intensive revision, highlighting the importance of verifying voter eligibility and countering misleading information. He stressed the role of district officials in creating awareness among the general public at the grassroots level to ensure smooth implementation.

Gopalan pointed out that over many years, the Election Commission has built a reputation for impartiality and credibility, and maintaining this requires prompt identification and correction of erroneous or misleading data.

Ensuring Accurate Electoral Rolls

A key focus of the meeting was the inclusion of only eligible voters in the electoral rolls, ensuring no ineligible names are added and that no eligible voter is omitted. The CEO confirmed that in Odisha, all necessary measures are being implemented to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the voter list.

Officer Training and Information Sharing

Deputy CEO Dr. Sahu presented detailed information through a PPT to familiarize officials with the independent intensive revision process. Additionally, he shared insights on initiatives undertaken by the Election Commission in the context of the Bihar elections, highlighting best practices and important procedural steps.

Addressing Erroneous Data

Officials were briefed on common errors such as:

• Multiple deletions of the same voter name,

• Incorrect booth labels,

• Missing house numbers, and

• Multiple registrations at a single address.

District Information and Public Relations Officers were instructed to bring accurate data to the attention of local authorities and swiftly correct any discrepancies.

Public Awareness and Outreach

The CEO’s office will continue to regularly circulate press releases and information through social and other media channels to ensure that citizens at the grassroots level are fully aware of the revision process. Officials were also encouraged to solicit creative feedback from the public to enhance the effectiveness of the program.