As per the direction of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls will be carried out in Dharwad district from June 30 to October 7.

Briefing presspersons in Dharwad on Wednesday, Deputy Commissioner Snehal R. sought the cooperation of the public and all political parties in the successful completion of the process.

The Deputy Commissioner said that 89.94% of voter mapping has already been completed and all steps are being taken to complete the process at the earliest. She sought the cooperation of booth-level agents and officials.

As per the schedule released by the ECI, preparatory work, training and printing of material will be taken up between June 20 and June 29.

House-to-house visits by BLOs will then be conducted from June 30 to July 29. Rationalisation of polling stations is to be completed by July 29.

The draft electoral rolls for Karnataka will be published on August 5. Claims and objections can be filed from August 5 to September 4, while disposal of claims and objections will continue till October 3. The final electoral rolls is scheduled to be published on October 7.

The Deputy Commissioner said that as per Article 324 of the Constitution and Representation of People Act 1950, the ECI has the responsibility of holding elections for Assembly and Parliament and revision of electoral rolls. To hold free and fair elections, it is important that the electoral rolls are revised comprehensively.

She also promised that steps will be taken to ensure that eligible voters are not left out of the electoral rolls. As per Article 326 of the Constitution all those who have completed 18 years on the notified date and those not barred by law are eligible to register their names in the electoral rolls, she said.

The Deputy Commissioner said that so far 10 comprehensive revision of electoral rolls have taken place in various States.

She said that SIR has been a regular process till 2004 and now, after 20 years, again SIR is being carried out.

“There are chances of major changes in the electoral rolls, due to repetitive entries, large-scale migration due to rapid urbanisation and those who have moved in search of livelihood.

SIR will also help in receiving objections from political parties on the quality of the electoral rolls and removal of deceased voters, repetitive entries and also foreign nationals, she said.

As on May 19, there are a total of 16,23,933 voters in 1,665 polling stations of seven Assembly segments in Dharwad district, including 8,06,478 male voters, 8,17,358 female voters and 97 third gender voters.

She said that presiding officers for each of the 1,665 polling stations in Dharwad district have already been appointed and 230 booth-level supervisors have been appointed.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Geetha C.D. and other officials were present.

Earlier, chairing a meeting of representatives of political parties on SIR, she briefed them about the schedule and sought their cooperation in the successful completion of the process.