Punjab Assembly Elections 2027: Work On Voter Lists Intensifies
Imprisonment For Possessing Two Voter Cards
The Election Commission has geared up for the Assembly elections scheduled to be held in Punjab in February 2027. The State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Anindita Mitra, stated that work is proceeding on a war footing to make the voter lists in the state transparent and error free. The Election Commission’s priority is to ensure that no eligible voter is left out and that the list contains no erroneous entries.
Pre-SIR Work Completed In 78 Percent of the State
The Chief Electoral Officer informed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for the voter lists is currently underway across the entire state. She shared that, under the pre SIR exercise, approximately 78 percent of the state has been covered so far.
According to the latest figures, the total number of voters in Punjab stands at 21,457,521. The Commission’s objective is to thoroughly verify the details of every voter before the elections. The official noted that districts such as Tarn Taran and Moga are leading the way in the mapping process.
Cooperate With BLOs; Verify Your Details
Anindita Mitra has appealed to the citizens of the state to ensure that their voter information is updated correctly. She emphasized that the proper exercise of the right to vote is possible only if the name, address, and other details in the voter list are accurate. She urged voters to cooperate with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are currently conducting door to door verification drives. Voters can also verify their details on the Election Commission’s portal.
Legal Action Against Possession Of Duplicate Voter Cards
To curb fraudulent practices, the Election Commission is adopting an extremely strict stance this time around. The Chief Electoral Officer issued a clear warning: if, during the verification process, an individual is found to possess two voter cards whether issued for different constituencies or under different names they will face severe consequences. Legal Provisions: Under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, making a false declaration in the electoral roll is an offense. In such cases, if found guilty, the law provides for imprisonment of up to one year, a fine, or both.
The Chief Electoral Officer clarified that, to ensure transparency, political parties have also appointed over 8,000 Booth Level Agents (BLAs), who will monitor the entire process.
