Bhubaneswar, Nov 11 (UDN): The Odisha government is set to undertake a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls for 2027, with January 1, 2027, designated as the qualifying date for determining voter eligibility. The exercise will aim to update voter records, ensure accuracy in the electoral database and provide eligible citizens an opportunity to register or correct their details.
According to the schedule announced by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Odisha, the draft electoral roll will be published on November 30, 2026, while the final voter list is scheduled to be released on January 21, 2027.
The roadmap for the revision exercise was discussed at a meeting held at the CEO’s office in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. The meeting, chaired by Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sushanta Kumar Mishra, was attended by representatives of recognised political parties, who were briefed on the proposed schedule and arrangements.
Odisha Has Over 3.19 Crore Registered Voters
As per the electoral data available up to November 8, 2026, Odisha has 3,19,12,623 registered voters. Of these, 1,62,51,443 are male voters, 1,56,58,405 are female voters and 2,775 belong to the third-gender category.
The state also has 3,86,185 young electors and 4,52,073 voters with disabilities.
As part of the revision process, polling stations will undergo rationalisation and reorganisation, with the exercise scheduled to be completed by November 20, 2026. The integrated draft electoral roll will subsequently be published on November 30.
Claims and Objections from November 30
The period for filing claims and objections will remain open from November 30 to December 30, 2026. Applications and objections received during this period will be examined and disposed of by January 16, 2027. The final electoral roll will be published on January 21.
Eligible citizens can use the prescribed forms for different electoral services:
Form 6: For inclusion of names in the electoral roll.
Form 6A: For registration of overseas Indian voters.
Form 7: For raising objections to the inclusion of a name or seeking deletion of an existing entry.
Form 8: For correction of voter details, change of residence, replacement of an Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and updating disability-related information.
Applications can be submitted online through the Election Commission’s Voters’ Service Portal at https://voters.eci.gov.in or through the concerned Booth Level Officer (BLO) at the respective polling station.
Advance Registration Facility for 2027
The Election Commission will also accept advance applications from eligible citizens for the subsequent qualifying dates of April 1, July 1 and October 1, 2027. Such applications will be processed in the respective quarters.
Political Parties Asked to Appoint Booth Level Agents
The CEO’s office has urged all recognised political parties to appoint one Booth Level Agent (BLA) for every polling station. The agents will coordinate with the respective BLOs and assist in monitoring the revision process.
Each BLA will be permitted to collect and submit a maximum of 10 Forms 6, 7 and 8 per day, subject to an overall limit of 30 forms during the claims and objections period. Applications exceeding the prescribed limit will be subject to re-verification by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO).
BLAs must also submit a declaration confirming that they have personally verified the information provided in the applications.
Political parties have further been invited to submit suggestions and proposals regarding the reorganisation of polling stations before the process is finalised.
Transparency and Safeguards for Voters
To ensure transparency, lists of claims and objections will be published on the official website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha. A minimum clear notice period of seven days will be provided after publication and distribution of these lists among political parties before the claims and objections are disposed of, in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
The CEO’s office has also clarified that names of deceased voters, individuals who have permanently shifted their residences and persons registered at multiple locations will be removed only after proper verification and in accordance with Election Commission guidelines.
Importantly, submission of Aadhaar details for inclusion or retention of a name in the electoral roll will remain entirely voluntary. No application will be rejected, and no voter’s name will be deleted, solely on the ground that an Aadhaar number has not been provided.
Voters Can Appeal Against Decisions
Citizens will retain the right to challenge decisions taken during the revision exercise. Under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, an appeal against an order passed by the Electoral Registration Officer can first be filed before the District Magistrate, who serves as the first appellate authority.
If required, a second appeal can be filed before the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 24(b) of the Act.
The Special Summary Revision is expected to play an important role in ensuring an updated and accurate electoral roll in Odisha ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle, while providing eligible voters with adequate opportunities to exercise their democratic rights.