Bhatkal: With Uttara Kannada district reporting the distribution of more than 99 per cent of Enumeration Forms under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Bhatkal has stepped up efforts to ensure that every eligible voter completes and submits the forms within the stipulated timeframe.
Across Bhatkal, representatives of local sports centres, along with social workers, are helping voters fill out the Enumeration Forms, trace their names in the 2002 electoral roll and complete other formalities. Volunteers of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation, working under the guidance of the century-old social organisation Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem, are also assisting residents in different localities as part of the outreach campaign.
Mubashir Hussain Hallare, convenor of the SIR Committee constituted by the Tanzeem, said Enumeration Forms had been distributed to nearly all eligible voters in Bhatkal. Volunteers from local sports centres, along with social workers, are assisting residents in completing the verification process. He said the Tanzeem has established a voter assistance centre on Bunder Road to guide electors on filling out the forms, required documents and the enrolment of new voters. Voters have been advised to retain one copy of the completed form for their records and hand over the second copy to the Booth Level Officer (BLO). If a BLO does not visit their residence, they should submit the form at their designated polling station, he added.
Meanwhile, District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya said more than 99 per cent of Enumeration Forms had been distributed across Uttara Kannada district. Speaking at a meeting with representatives of recognised political parties in Karwar, she urged voters to complete and return the forms at the earliest to facilitate the timely revision of the electoral rolls.
The Deputy Commissioner said voters requiring assistance could contact the district voter helpline (08382-1950) or visit voter assistance centres established at all polling stations by the Zilla Panchayat. Enumeration Forms had also been delivered to the registered addresses of voters who had migrated out of the district. Such voters can submit the forms online and, if required, apply for the transfer of their names after the publication of the draft electoral roll.
Lakshmi Priya said house-to-house verification by BLOs had identified cases involving migration, deceased voters and duplicate entries in the electoral rolls. She urged political parties to verify these details through their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and report any discrepancies to election authorities for timely correction. The district administration is regularly sharing progress reports on the revision exercise with recognised political parties and has sought their cooperation to ensure its successful completion.