Missing names flagged at special voter camps held in Chennai

CHENNAI: At the special voter enrolment camps organised for the second consecutive day across 16 Assembly constituencies in Chennai on Sunday, there was a steady flow of residents collecting and submitting Form 6 for new enrolments and senior citizens verifying their names in the draft electoral roll released as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Officials said several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) reported that at least one voter’s name was missing from the draft roll in almost every polling station.

Organised by the Election Commission of India, these special camps will continue on subsequent weekends until January 4.

In the Saidapet Assembly constituency, at the polling station set up at Chennai Boys’ Higher Secondary School on Kodambakkam High Road, officials recorded a higher turnout on Sunday compared to the first day. M Yobu Rajan, a BLO in Saidapet, said, “Around 160 new enrolment forms were submitted on Sunday alone. Many people had already collected Form 6 earlier. We expect more applications in the coming weeks.”

Senior citizens also turned up in large numbers to check their details. M Istalingam, a resident of Visakathottam in Saidapet, said, “I preferred visiting the booth in person as I was not comfortable using smartphones. I came to ensure that my name and those of my family members are correctly included.”

Several voters reported discrepancies. R Ravi of Ethiraj Nagar said his daughter’s name was missing from the draft roll, prompting him to submit Form 6. At polling stations in Egmore, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar and Thousand Lights, BLOs confirmed that names were missing or had spelling errors.

Rahul Shakar of T Nagar said his name alone was missing despite submitting enumeration forms earlier. “I could not collect the acknowledgement slip during the rush. I will return next week for clarification,” he said.

Officials said most errors were linked to late submission of enumeration forms or voters being marked as shifted.