Missed the Roll? EC Gives ASDD Electors a Second Chance to Vote
The Election Commission of India allows voters marked as Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate to reclaim their voting rights in several states.
In a significant move to protect the democratic rights of citizens, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued fresh instructions to provide major relief to voters who were omitted from the Draft Electoral Roll. This decision specifically targets those categorized as ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate) during the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR).
The ECI has sent official orders to the Chief Electoral Officers of several states and territories, including the NCT of Delhi, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana, and Nagaland. The goal is to ensure that genuine citizens—whether they were erroneously marked as ASDD or simply failed to submit their forms in time—are not stripped of their right to vote.
How to Find Out if You Are on the ASDD List
To make the process transparent and accessible, the Commission has outlined a systematic way for voters to identify their status:
- Physical Notice Boards: Booth-wise lists of ASDD electors whose forms were not received will be displayed at Polling Stations, Panchayat Bhawans, Urban Local Body offices, and BDO offices.
- Digital Access: These lists, which include the probable reasons for the omission, will be uploaded as readable PDFs on the respective Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) websites.
The Re-enrolment Process: Step-by-Step
Eligible voters can now submit their duly filled-in Enumeration Forms (Annexure-A) to their local Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant ERO (AERO). To ensure no one is left behind, District Election Officers and EROs will proactively reach out to voters via SMS, email, WhatsApp, or physical delivery.
Furthermore, Booth Level Officers (BLOs), working alongside political party-appointed Booth Level Agents (BLAs), will conduct house-to-house visits and consult with neighbors or Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to guide affected voters.
Different Rules for Different Situations
The ECI has streamlined the application process based on the current residency status of the voter:
1. For those still living at the same address:
Electors who have not shifted must submit the Enumeration Form along with Annexure-B, explaining why they didn't submit the form previously. This can be done physically via the ERO, AERO, or BLO, or online through ECINET with an e-signature.
2. For those who have shifted within the state:
Voters who have moved must provide the Enumeration Form and Annexure-C, detailing their new address and Assembly Constituency, supported by valid address proof. Notably, Form-8 is not required for this process. Submissions can be made to the BLO or the ERO/AERO of the new constituency.
3. For homeless individuals:
Recognizing the challenges faced by those without a fixed address, the ECI allows the submission of forms without standard address documents. In such cases, a field verification report conducted by the BLO will serve as the official proof of residence.
Digital Tools for Easier Access
To further simplify the process, the ECI has introduced a "Book a Call with BLO" feature on its official website and the ECINET App. Voters can also download and fill out their forms directly on these platforms using their existing EPIC number.
Once the forms and statements are received, EROs will verify them under Rule 21(1) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. After verifying eligibility and conducting field checks where necessary, accepted names will be included in the Final Electoral Roll of the current Special Summary Revision.