UDIT VANI Ranchi: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jharkhand announced that the second Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the electoral roll, with July 1, 2024, as the qualifying date, has been completed. The updated electoral roll was published on August 27, 2024, and copies have been provided to political parties. As of September 20, 2024, a total of 2.59 crore electors are registered in the state, comprising approximately 1.31 crore male and 1.28 crore female voters. Notably, over 11.05 lakh first-time voters aged 18-19 years, 1.14 lakh senior citizens aged 85 and above, and 3.64 lakh persons with disabilities (PwD) are registered. Among these, more than 1,845 voters are over 100 years old, and there is a 100% enrollment rate (1.78 lakh) of the eight Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the electoral roll. The state’s electoral gender ratio stands at 978.
Polling Stations
During the review, the CEO informed that a total of 29,562 polling stations will be established across 20,276 locations for the upcoming assembly elections. Of these, 24,520 polling stations will be in rural areas, while 5,042 will be in urban settings, with an average of 872 voters assigned to each station. Furthermore, 1,271 polling stations will be exclusively managed by women, and 139 will be overseen by youth employees to encourage participation among these key demographics. Notably, 48 polling stations will be staffed by persons with disabilities.
Assured Minimum Facilities at Polling Stations
All District Electoral Officers (DEOs) have assured that polling stations across the state will be equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) such as ramps, drinking water, toilets, electricity, shade, and chairs to enhance voter convenience.
Technology Integration
DEOs have committed to utilizing a comprehensive ecosystem of IT applications to facilitate all stakeholders, including voters and political parties. The **cVIGIL** app will empower citizens to report electoral violations and malpractices. Flying squads will be deployed to address complaints raised through this user-friendly app, which maintains the anonymity of the complainant and guarantees a response within 100 minutes.
The SUVIDHA app serves as a single-window platform for candidates to request permissions for meeting halls and booking grounds for political rallies. This technology ensures a level playing field by granting permissions on a first-come, first-served basis without any discretionary power.
The KYC (Know Your Candidate) app is designed to promote an informed electorate by providing information about the criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities, and educational qualifications of candidates contesting in the elections. The Saksham App is specifically designed for PwD voters, featuring various accessibility options. Users can request pick-and-drop services, wheelchair assistance, or volunteer help at polling booths through this app, ensuring a smoother voting experience for PwD individuals.
Inclusive & Accessible Elections
In a significant development for the State Assembly Elections in Jharkhand, senior citizens aged 85 and above, along with PwD voters with a 40% benchmark disability, will have the option to vote from the comfort of their homes. This home voting facility is optional; voters who prefer to visit polling stations will receive necessary assistance upon arrival. Application Form 12D will be distributed and collected by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) within five days of the notification for those opting for this facility, and the entire process will be videographed with representatives of political parties and candidates present throughout the home voting procedure.
