By NE NOW NEWS
Guwahati: The Election Commission has issued detailed guidelines for voter eligibility as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls gathers pace in Meghalaya, using the 2005 revision as the reference framework.
Officials said the 2005 voter list will act as the base document for verification under the current exercise.
Since no nationwide intensive revision has taken place in the state since then, the roll is being used to verify existing entries, remove duplicate records and address possible irregularities.
Individuals already included in the 2005 electoral roll will not be required to submit identity documents again. They will only need to provide an extract of their name from the earlier list along with the enumeration form.
The Commission stated that any Indian citizen aged 18 or above as on October 1, 2026, who is not legally disqualified, is eligible for inclusion in the voter list.
Applicants must submit proof of citizenship, with Booth Level Officers conducting door-to-door verification.
Applicants will need to prove their age through valid records including birth certificates, school leaving certificates, passports or Aadhaar cards that show an authenticated date of birth.
Proof of residence in the constituency will also be mandatory, with supporting documents such as Aadhaar, ration cards, bank passbooks or utility bills.
In tribal areas of Meghalaya, officials said additional emphasis will be placed on family and lineage records to prevent false entries while ensuring genuine voters are not excluded.
The Commission also outlined disqualification rules for individuals declared mentally unfit by a competent court, those serving jail terms without bail, and persons barred under election-related laws.
Existing names from the 2005 roll will undergo simplified checks, while new applicants will require full documentation.
Election Commissioner of India Vivek Joshi visited Meghalaya on Wednesday to review preparations for the exercise. He inspected polling stations in Nongpoh and Shillong and held discussions with election officials on readiness at the ground level.
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Meghalaya started on June 20, beginning with a training phase for election staff that will continue until June 29. Field-level verification by Booth Level Officers will then be conducted door-to-door from June 30 to July 29.
The draft version of the electoral roll is scheduled for release on August 5, while the final updated list will be published on October 7, 2026.
Officials have called on eligible voters to actively participate in the process by providing the required documents during verification visits. Once the draft roll is published, citizens will be given an opportunity to raise objections or request corrections.
Authorities said the drive aims to ensure a more reliable and updated electoral roll ahead of future elections.