Bhubaneswar: In a focused effort to ensure a flawless electoral process, the Election Commission of India has directed a Special Intensive Revision in Odisha with a qualifying date of July 1, 2026. Spearheading this initiative, Chief Electoral Officer Shri R S Gopalan has made an appeal to all eligible citizens to participate in this democratic exercise to make the electoral roll accurate, transparent, and error-free.
Addressing the Media on 21 July, Shri Gopalan said that the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision is currently in motion, following the publication of the draft electoral roll on July 5, 2026. Citizens have until August 4, 2026, to file claims and objections. During this active period, voters are requested to verify their particulars in the draft roll and submit any necessary corrections through their Booth Level Officers, the voters.eci.gov.in portal, or the ECI NET App.
To achieve a comprehensive and updated voter list, specific provisions have been outlined for various citizen needs. Individuals who reached the age of 18 by July 1, 2026, or eligible electors missing from the draft roll, can apply for enrollment by submitting Form-6 along with a prescribed declaration. Additionally, Form-7 is designated for the deletion of names belonging to deceased or otherwise ineligible persons, while Form-8 allows existing electors to correct their particulars or change their address. Cases involving migration from another state require a mandatory declaration along with Form-8.
The administration is currently conducting the notice phase and disposing of claims and objections, a thorough process that will continue until September 2, 2026. Assistant Electoral Registration Officers are actively issuing notices to individuals whose information contains discrepancies or does not align with the 2002 Electoral Roll details. Official statistics indicate that out of an estimated 58,36,341 notices to be generated, 57,98,889 have been generated thus far, and 1,42,111 hearings have been completed.
To ensure a smooth and accessible process for the public, voters receiving notices can present Election Commission of India approved documents at designated hearings or submit them entirely online. Furthermore, hearings can be conducted via video-call when feasible to provide a hassle-free experience for voters.
The revision process also highly prioritizes the convenience of vulnerable populations. Senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities, sick individuals, and residents of remote or inaccessible areas are generally not required to attend hearings in person. Instead, Booth Level Officers will visit their residences to collect the necessary documents, ensuring their claims and objections are resolved comfortably.
Based on the verified documents and information obtained during this period, Electoral Registration Officers will determine final voter eligibility. The culmination of this intensive state-wide drive will be the publication of the final electoral roll on September 6, 2026.