Intensive Review of Voter Registration Lists Initiated by CEO in Odisha

In a significant move, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha, R. Santha Gopalan, has announced a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. This marks the first comprehensive revision in 24 years, as the last one was carried out in 2002. The SIR aims to ensure the accuracy and inclusivity of the voter list, reflecting every eligible voter in the state.

The SIR exercise in Odisha has triggered political debates and is being closely watched by political stakeholders in the run-up to the next 2029 general elections. These debates have occurred at both the national and state levels, with the political parties likely to be involved in a debate on revising the voter lists in Odisha in the national parliament including the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Indian National Congress (INC).

Allegations of large-scale voter exclusions have been made in the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, prompting opposition parties in Parliament to recently protest against the revision. A detailed debate on the issue of the electoral roll revision in Bihar has been demanded.

In Odisha, around 7,000 voter cards with Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers had to be replaced due to irregularities. The CEO, R. Santha Gopalan, dismissed allegations raised by certain political parties and has given clarifications to the BJD twice.

In view of the growing electorate, the number of polling booths in Odisha will be increased from 38,000 to 45,000. The increase in polling booths aims to ease voter access and reduce overcrowding during polling.

It's important to note that possession of only an EPIC number does not grant voting rights; a valid voter ID card is mandatory to cast a ballot. Citizens will have adequate time to verify and correct their details after the publication of the final electoral roll, which is scheduled for January 7, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet has approved an Online Gaming Bill, but no additional facts were provided about the next-generation GST reforms mentioned in the title.

In a separate development, the Election Commission has already responded to queries from both the Congress and the BJD regarding the SIR exercise in Odisha. The CEO has dismissed allegations of large-scale voter exclusions and irregularities, maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

The approval of the Online Gaming Bill and the SIR exercise in Odisha are significant events in the Indian political landscape, especially in the lead-up to the 2029 general elections. These developments underscore the ongoing efforts to modernise and streamline various aspects of Indian politics and governance.