Ranchi: State-based civil society organisations on Thursday urged the chief electoral officer (CEO) to make public the lists of “unmapped” voters and those included in the draft ‘absentee, shifted and dead (ASD)’ category under the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.In a joint representation sent via email, organisations, including Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha, United Milli Forum, Sajha Kadam, Bharat Jodo Abhiyan and Loktantrik Rashtra Nirman Abhiyan, said transparency is essential to ensure that eligible voters are not left out of the electoral process.Media reports, citing the Election Commission (EC), indicated that mapping of nearly 47 lakh voters in Jharkhand was not completed. The process of filling enumeration forms began on June 30 and would continue for a month. Voters whose mapping remains incomplete or where logical discrepancies are detected may subsequently receive notices seeking supporting documents, the organisations noted.The groups argued that obtaining required documents could take considerable time. “Making the list of 47 lakh unmapped voters public at an early stage would help affected individuals verify their status, ensure mapping is completed and arrange necessary documents in advance. The public should be allowed to verify the draft ASD list too,” read the memorandum.They also called for the lists to be placed before gram sabhas and ward sabhas for verification, citing EC guidelines and PESA provisions applicable in scheduled areas.
