Ranchi: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state has entered its final phase, with the number of claims, objections and applications crossing 10.52 lakh by Sunday.According to the latest figures, election officials have received 10,52,647 applications under Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8. The tally is expected to increase further as applications received on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are added before the claims and objections window closes.The inflow rose sharply on Sunday, when 18,698 applications were received. These included 9,603 Form-6 applications, 8,936 Form-8 applications, 157 Form-7 applications and two Form-6A applications. The intake was higher than the 14,359 applications received on Saturday.Form-6 applications, used for inclusion in the electoral roll, account for the largest share at 6,22,522. Form-8 applications, relating to corrections and other changes, total 4,18,536. Officials have also received 11,487 Form-7 applications and objections, along with 102 applications from overseas electors under Form-6A.Amid the growing workload, Jharkhand has changed the procedure for SIR hearings. Chief electoral officer K Ravi Kumar has directed booth level officers (BLOs) to visit voters at home in cases involving unmapped electors or logical discrepancies. BLOs will collect the required documents and upload them on the ECINET platform for disposal by electoral registration officers (EROs).Such voters will ordinarily not be required to appear at ERO or assistant ERO offices. Hearings will be held only in exceptional cases and may be conducted online where necessary. Voters may also authorise an adult family member to appear on their behalf.BLO supervisors will assist with door-to-door verification, while district election officials have been asked to provide volunteers and technical support. Officials must remain available at designated hearing venues in case voters visit them voluntarily.EROs have been instructed to pass clear and reasoned orders after verifying the applicant’s citizenship, age and ordinary residence. Help desks and special camps may be arranged for vulnerable groups, including labourers, homeless persons and those living in night shelters.With less than three weeks left after the Sept 30 deadline, officials must complete scrutiny and disposal before the final electoral roll is published on Oct 19.
