TNI Bureau: Concerns over large-scale deletions from electoral rolls have prompted the Odisha government to step in with corrective measures and tighter oversight.

Officials revealed that close to 9.8 lakh entries have been struck off during the ongoing voter list revision. However, a growing number of complaints indicate that many legitimate voters may have been removed without adequate verification on the ground. Allegations point to lapses by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), including failure to conduct door-to-door checks before initiating deletions.

In response, the Chief Electoral Officer has directed a temporary freeze on nearly 2 lakh Form-7 requests filed after April 2, 2026, pending review. The state has now introduced stricter safeguards. Deletions linked to deceased voters must be backed by verified documentation, preferably with applications submitted by relatives. For cases involving duplicate or suspicious entries, authorities are required to issue prior notices and follow due procedure before removing names.

To strengthen accountability, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and their assistants must independently verify at least half of the recent Form-7 applications by contacting applicants directly. Complaints received through official channels, including the 1950 helpline, are to be examined in detail.

Where deletion requests are still under process, officials have been told to pause or reverse action if irregularities are suspected. In confirmed cases of wrongful removal, immediate restoration of voter names has been ordered.

The government has also made it mandatory for EROs to certify compliance with verification protocols before resuming any deletion activity. Digital updates to the voter rolls will remain suspended until these assurances are formally submitted.