Administrative Action on Electoral Roll Lapses in Patna
Patna, July 14: The Patna district administration has initiated corrective measures in the voter list revision exercise, prompted by multiple reports of procedural lapses during the electoral roll update. These measures coincide with the special summary revision scheduled in advance of the forthcoming elections.
Investigations at polling stations revealed that a number of booth-level officers, or BLOs, had failed to fulfil their assigned duties in a timely and accurate manner. In response, the District Election Office has served show-cause notices to the negligent officers and has warned that further violations will trigger formal departmental proceedings. A review meeting convened under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate recently examined the status of the revision and identified specific bottlenecks.
During the review, the District Magistrate voiced concern over the unexpectedly low volume of applications for corrections and new additions to the voter list. He mandated that officials intensify outreach efforts so that each eligible voter is recorded, aiming for near-total coverage at every polling booth. BLOs are now required to conduct door-to-door verification and to document voter information with precision and integrity.
The administration is giving special priority to adding the names of first-time voters who have just turned eighteen. Separate guidance has been issued to make certain that no eligible young person slips through the cracks during the update. To reinforce this effort, the electoral office will roll out awareness campaigns in schools and colleges, motivating students to register en masse.
In several wards, field reports showed that some Booth Level Officers (BLOs) stayed away and updated records based only on past data. Such negligence is not being overlooked. Officials who ignore established procedures could face suspension or other disciplinary action.
Beyond the BLOs, senior supervisors and zonal officers are now ordered to hold unscheduled inspections at regular intervals. Their goal is to promote transparency and hold every team member accountable throughout the voter list revision.
The Election Commission has set firm deadlines for the summary revision process, and the district administration insists that no excuses will be accepted. Every eligible citizen must ensure that their name appears correctly in the list before the final draft is published.
In several urban wards within Patna City and the neighbouring municipalities, observers have noted a consistent pattern of voter complaints linked to inaccurate personal data on the electoral rolls. To address this, election officials are launching targeted correction camps at each polling booth, enabling residents to complete the requisite forms and amend their records in real time.
Participants who prefer not to attend the booth sessions may still obtain paper forms through local block-level officials. Voters who have relocated, or whose names, spellings, or birth dates contain errors, should deliver the completed documents to the nearest Booth Level Officer or stop by one of the correction camps. Supervisors have been instructed to support every requester diligently, collate the submissions, and forward a summary to the district headquarters at the close of each day.
The District Election Officer urges the public to cross-check their entries in the freshly released draft. Discovery of any discrepancy should trigger an immediate visit to the designated kiosk, where the appropriate amendment form can be lodged without delay.
As preparations for forthcoming polls accelerate, the integrity of the voter registry assumes critical significance. By mandating routine status updates and holding staff accountable, the administration affirms its resolve to guarantee transparent and equitable elections throughout the district.
Officials are now concentrating on strict oversight, quick adjustments, and active public involvement. Residents of Patna are urged to remain vigilant and safeguard their voting rights by checking that their registrations are correct.
