Budgam: State Election Commissioner Shantmanu on Saturday conducted an extensive visit to Budgam district to oversee the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls, emphasizing transparency, inclusiveness, and timely completion of the exercise.
During his visit, the SEC attended special awareness camps on SSR at Sheikhpora and Razwen, where he personally monitored the voter registration process to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out of the updated electoral rolls.
He reviewed the progress of the revision exercise and assessed measures being taken to prepare accurate, inclusive, and error-free voter lists. Stressing the importance of fairness and transparency, Shantmanu said that timely completion of the revision is essential to strengthen the democratic process at the grassroots level.
The SEC interacted with officials involved in the electoral process and underscored the need for maximum public participation. He called for focused efforts to encourage enrolment of eligible young voters, women, and members of marginalized sections.
He also highlighted the importance of removing duplications, correcting discrepancies, and ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded from the rolls.
Interacting with first-time voters (18+), Shantmanu emphasized their crucial role in democracy and encouraged youth to actively participate in the electoral process.
Later, the SEC chaired a high-level review meeting to evaluate the progress of the SSR across various constituencies of the district. The meeting reviewed the status of voter registration, verification drives, awareness campaigns, and field-level coordination.
Among those present were Deputy Commissioner Budgam Athar Aamir Khan, who also holds charge as District Panchayat Officer Budgam, along with the Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Block Development Officers (BDOs), and other key election-related officers.
Shantmanu directed officials to adopt a proactive approach in door-to-door verification and effectively utilise digital platforms to streamline the registration process, ensuring an error-free and inclusive electoral roll.
He further instructed the administration to intensify awareness efforts so that citizens are well-informed about the SSR process and actively participate in updating their electoral details.
Reiterating the importance of coordination, he called for close monitoring at every level and seamless collaboration among all stakeholders for smooth execution of the exercise.
“A robust and updated electoral roll forms the foundation of free, fair, and transparent elections,” the SEC said.
