Error-free Electoral Roll: State CEO Office Begins Using New Software

MP, 4 Dec 2025, Kolkata: The state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office has begun using a new software aimed at making the electoral roll error-free. The objective is to ensure that no deceased, shifted, fake, or non-existent voters remain on the list. The new software, called ‘Demographic Similar Entries,’ allows Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) to identify fraudulent voters in seconds.

State CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal explained that this initiative has been implemented to streamline and expedite the Election Commission’s verification process. Each ERO will only have access to suspicious voter records within their respective jurisdictions. Within the next two days, District Election Officers (DEO) across the state will be given access to monitor suspicious entries in their districts. The CEO office will have visibility at the state level, while the Election Commission of India will be able to access data nationally.

The new measure comes after the state completed 99.95% distribution of enumeration forms and digitized 98.84% of them. According to the CEO office, nearly 53 lakh forms remain uncollected, with over 23.48 lakh identified as dead voters. Additionally, more than 18.44 lakh voters have shifted their addresses, while 9.42 lakh electors are untraced. Over 1.22 lakh voters have been flagged as duplicates or bogus.

In a message to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) responsible for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) task, the CEO stressed the importance of ensuring that "no eligible voter is left out and no ineligible voter is included in the electoral roll." He also pointed out that the deadline for the distribution and digitization of enumeration forms has been extended from December 4 to December 11. BLOs have been asked to review their work again during this period to prevent any deliberate mistakes.

The CEO also reminded the BLOs that any deliberate mistakes on their part could result in legal action. He emphasized the importance of preparing a transparent electoral roll by removing duplicate, deceased, shifted, or absentee voters.

As of now, there are 7 polling booths in the state where no "uncollectable" forms have been reported. Interestingly, 2,208 polling booths were recorded with 100% distribution, collection, and digitization of SIR forms. The CEO office requested signed reports from EROs, countersigned by DEOs, by 10 am on Tuesday. Malda has two such booths, while Jalpaiguri, South 24-Parganas, Howrah, Purulia, and West Midnapore each have one booth with 100% compliance.

The CEO's office continues to push for accuracy and transparency in the electoral roll as the final deadlines approach.