Chandigarh: Punjab on Thursday began a statewide voter verification exercise aimed at updating electoral records ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, with thousands of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) fanning out across villages, towns and cities to conduct door-to-door checks.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign seeks to ensure that electoral rolls remain accurate by identifying duplicate entries, deceased voters, shifted residents and other discrepancies. Election officials described the exercise as one of the largest voter-list verification efforts undertaken in the state in recent years.
Under the campaign, BLOs will visit households to verify voter information, distribute forms where required and collect updated details. Officials clarified that the exercise is not limited to newly registered voters and will also cover existing names already present in electoral rolls.
A significant portion of Punjab’s electorate has already been digitally mapped through a preliminary survey. However, election authorities are now focusing on physical verification to confirm the authenticity of records and improve the accuracy of voter databases.
Special attention will be given to voters whose addresses could not be matched during the mapping process. Election staff will make repeated attempts to establish contact and gather the necessary information before any further action is considered.
Authorities have emphasised that no voter’s name will be removed merely because they were unavailable during a visit. Multiple opportunities will be provided to submit documents, respond to notices or clarify records before any decision is taken regarding electoral status.
Officials also reiterated that the verification process is completely free of cost. Citizens have been advised not to pay any money to anyone claiming to facilitate voter registration or verification and to report such demands immediately.
The Election Commission has also clarified that Aadhaar is not mandatory for verification and that several alternative documents can be used wherever required. Tenants, students, hostel residents and eligible individuals living away from their native places can also participate in the exercise according to existing electoral guidelines.
Young citizens who become eligible to vote before the qualifying date will be able to apply for inclusion through the prescribed registration process. Meanwhile, Non-Resident Indians retaining Indian citizenship can continue to remain on electoral rolls under the applicable rules.
Following the completion of the field survey, election authorities will open a period for claims and objections, allowing citizens to correct errors or challenge omissions. The revised electoral roll will then be scrutinised before the publication of the final voter list later this year.
Officials said the updated voter database will serve as the foundation for future elections in Punjab and is intended to strengthen transparency, accuracy and public confidence in the electoral process.
