Bhubaneswar: To ensure the smooth implementation of the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) program, a four-day state-level training for election officials commenced on Tuesday. The training is being held from March 10 to March 13, 2026, at the Revenue Officers Training Institute (ROTI) in Gothapatna, Bhubaneswar, and will be conducted across two sessions each day.
Chief Electoral Officer Shri R.S. Gopalan inaugurated the program as the chief guest. The first day of training saw participation from Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, and Deputy Collectors (Election) representing the districts of Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, and Balasore.
The sessions focused extensively on the SIR process, voter list revision methodologies, mapping current voters with the 2002 electoral rolls, data collection, and field-level execution. Institutional and human resource preparedness remained a key priority during the discussions.
To ensure transparency and proactive engagement, officials deliberated on the appointment of Booth Level Agents by political parties, the training of these agents for voter verification and form management, and the identification of 20 key individuals at every polling booth.
Administratively, the training emphasized identifying appropriate locations and infrastructure for the digitization of enumeration forms. Trained personnel will be specifically deployed to handle scanning, data entry, and verification tasks. Additionally, designated camps will be organized across various locations to hear voter claims and objections, ensuring accessible and timely grievance redressal. The dates, timings, and venues of these camps will be communicated to voters and relevant stakeholders in advance.
For robust data management and oversight, IT cells equipped with the required human resources will be established at the Electoral Registration Officer and Assistant Electoral Registration Officer levels. Help desks will also be set up at the district and sub-division levels to support voters, Booth Level Officers, and field staff throughout the revision process.
Concluding the session, CEO Shri Gopalan directed all officials to ensure they are practically and administratively fully prepared to execute the upcoming SIR program. The inaugural event was also attended by Additional CEO Shri Sushant Kumar Mishra, Joint CEO Shri Gopinath Kuanr, and Deputy CEO Dr. Laxmi Prasad Sahu.