Unmapped voters
An unmapped voter is one whose current electoral record could not be linked to the relevant earlier electoral roll, particularly the 2002 roll. The state issued notices to 58,36,430 voters over logical anomalies and unmapping issues. Of these, 58,36,374 notices were successfully served and 54,21,872 voters were retained in the electoral roll following hearings and verification as of Aug 21. Odisha also received 1,97,952 Form 8 applications for corrections to names, addresses, age and other details.
Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer’s office has said electoral registration officers will issue notices to voters whose records could not be mapped to the relevant earlier electoral roll and those whose records have logical discrepancies. Pune election officials said hearing centres are being finalised and could be located at polling booths or nearby venues. “No eligible voter must be left out,’’ they said.
Logical discrepancies include change of names for women before and after marriage or the age between the parent and the child, both voters. They can submit prescribed documents and explain their cases before a decision is made. Notices will be personally issued by BLOs. Odisha’s experience shows how extensive the post-draft scrutiny can become. Activists have demanded a clear format and a seamless online system to alert voters whose records have been flagged, saying reliance on physical notices could result in some electors missing hearings.