The decision taken by Election Commission of India (ECI) to initiate revision of electoral rolls in Assembly constituencies across Jharkhand in the backdrop of political instability is perceived as the Commission’s preparations for early elections in the State.
The revision process which takes four months to complete will now be completed in just about three months time. Departing from established norms the date for the revision of rolls has been rescheduled to an earlier date- May 1.
According to norms the revision process should start from October 1 and end with the publication of final rolls by January 15. “The process normally starts from October 1 but this time it has been started from May1,” said Ranchi SDO, Ameet Kumar.
The exercise which is simultaneously going on in the entire State will complete by July 1, also the date for the publication of final electoral rolls. The revision, a periodical affair, is carried out to filter discrepancies and include new voters who cross the threshold age of 18 years for voting hence is considered significant from the election point of view.
“The final rolls will be published on July 1 after removing anomalies and addressing grievances,” said SDO Dhanbad, lal Mohan Mahato. As many as 2000 officials have been involved in Dhanbad alone for the massive exercise. As specified by the ECI, all claims need to be submitted by May 31 and the same will be disposed by June 20.
The circumstances, in which the Raj Bhawan has recommended for dissolution of the House and Cabinet is likely to take a call on holding fresh polls in the State this week, preponement of the exercise holds considerable significance.