Maharashtra CEO Proposes Online Self-Mapping for Voters Amid Pre-SIR Delays
Maharashtra CEO seeks EC nod for online self-mapping option for voters as pre-SIR exercise falls behind
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer, S Chockalingam, has requested the Election Commission of India to allow online self-mapping for voters as the state struggles to complete the pre-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mapping. With urban areas lagging in progress, this initiative aims to simplify the verification of voter identities against a 24-year-old electoral roll.
- 01Maharashtra's pre-SIR mapping is behind schedule, with urban areas below 50% completion.
- 02The CEO has proposed an online self-mapping option for voters to expedite the process.
- 03Self-mapping is inspired by the self-enumeration method used in the national census.
- 04Maharashtra has over 9 crore voters for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
- 05The Election Commission of India has yet to respond to the proposal.
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Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer, S Chockalingam, has sought approval from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to implement an online self-mapping option for voters. This proposal comes as the state struggles to complete the pre-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mapping, a process that requires Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to match current voters against a 24-year-old electoral roll. Urban areas like Mumbai Suburban, Pune, and Thane are particularly lagging, with completion rates below 50%, compared to a state average of 66.42%. The self-mapping initiative is modeled after the self-enumeration option used in the national census, which allows households to provide their details online without needing to upload documents. A 15-day self-enumeration window is set to begin on May 1, 2026. Maharashtra, with over 9 crore electors, is one of the largest voter bases in India, making the timely completion of this exercise crucial for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The CEO's office has indicated that the self-mapping process could alleviate the workload on BLOs, especially in urban regions experiencing population growth due to migration.
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The proposed online self-mapping could streamline the voter verification process, particularly benefiting urban residents who face challenges in traditional mapping methods.
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