JAMMU, Oct. 7
Jammu and Kashmir will hold a two-day special voter enrolment drive across all polling stations on October 10 and 11, with Booth Level Officers available throughout the day to register new voters and process requests for deletion, correction and updating of electoral details.
Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Verma announced the initiative on Wednesday, saying it would also mark the beginning of regular weekend voter enrolment and facilitation drives across the Union Territory.
All polling stations in Jammu and Kashmir will remain open for the special exercise from 9 am to 5 pm on both days, giving eligible residents an opportunity to approach their nearest polling station for assistance.
The decision was announced during a review meeting chaired by Verma with District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers to finalise arrangements for the drive.
Verma directed election officials to undertake extensive public outreach to ensure eligible citizens who are not yet on the electoral rolls are identified and assisted.
During the two-day exercise, Booth Level Officers will remain present at polling stations to help citizens submit Forms 6, 7 and 8.
Form 6 is used for inclusion of names in the electoral roll, while the other forms cover deletion and correction or updating of electoral particulars.
Applicants will be able to submit forms physically at polling stations or use the Voter Helpline App for digital submission, with officials available to assist them with the process.
The Chief Electoral Officer has also directed BLOs to conduct door-to-door outreach to identify eligible residents who may have been left out of the electoral rolls.
The exercise will place particular emphasis on young and first-time voters, women, Persons with Disabilities and other eligible citizens who may require assistance in completing the enrolment process.
District and electoral registration officials have been asked to conduct institutional as well as public outreach ahead of the drive.
Election officials will also provide regular ground-level information through official social-media channels, including details of polling stations, Assembly constituencies and districts, to help residents locate the facilities available in their areas.
The October 10-11 exercise will not be a one-off initiative. The Election Department plans to organise voter enrolment and facilitation drives regularly on weekends, making it easier for citizens who may find it difficult to visit election offices during normal working days.
Verma urged eligible residents to visit their nearest polling station during the special drive and check that their electoral details are complete and accurate.
The Election Department said the broader objective is to make voter registration more accessible at the grassroots level while ensuring eligible citizens have a convenient mechanism to enter or update their details on the electoral rolls.
The initiative comes as electoral rolls and their revision remain under increased public and political scrutiny. The weekend programme, however, is focused specifically on voter facilitation, providing a direct channel for residents to enrol, seek deletion of entries where applicable, or correct and update existing electoral information.
With BLOs available at every polling station and door-to-door outreach planned for those requiring additional assistance, the administration is seeking to widen access beyond the normal enrolment mechanism.
The first special drive will take place on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, from 9 am to 5 pm across all polling stations in Jammu and Kashmir.
