CHENNAI: Chennai residents on Saturday turned up at polling booths across the city on the first day of the weekend special camps to verify their names in the newly released draft electoral roll, while first-time voters submitted applications for inclusion.
The two-day camps, organised as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, aim to facilitate enrolment, corrections, and address changes ahead of the finalisation of the electoral rolls.
At a polling station in Anna Nagar East, around 30 people visited the camp during the day to submit applications for new enrolments and address changes.
“We have eight officials here and were expecting more people. But we anticipate a higher turnout on Sunday,” an official said. Apart from applicants, many residents visited the polling booths to check whether their names were correctly reflected in the draft roll, the official added.
Similar activity was observed at several polling stations visited by DT Next. At a booth in Purasaiwalkam, voters largely came to register for the first time or to update addresses after shifting within the locality or to other areas. Some voters, however, reported that their names had been deleted from the rolls.
“Both my son’s and daughter’s names are missing from the list. We do not know the reason. We have been living here for decades. Either this process is unnecessary or it is not being carried out properly. I have filled out the forms again and will wait to see the final list,” said a resident.
Officials there said around 40 people had availed themselves of the camp by the end of the day, though the response varied across locations. While some polling stations saw a steady flow of visitors, others recorded limited activity during parts of the day. At two polling stations in the Basin Bridge area, for instance, no visitors were reported until the afternoon.
Electors can submit applications for inclusion in the electoral rolls until January 18 during the claims and objections period. The camps allow submission of Form 6 for new enrolments, Form 7 for deletions due to death or permanent relocation, and Form 8 for corrections and address changes.
Applications are also being accepted at Electoral Registration Officers’ offices in select zonal offices of the Greater Chennai Corporation, apart from online submissions.