Chennai, December 15 (NationPress) - Individuals looking to register as voters, including new voters, those who have changed residences, and those previously excluded during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign, can now submit their applications for inclusion in the final electoral register of Chennai, which is anticipated to be released in February.

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has initiated the distribution of Form-6, the essential application for new voter enrollment, throughout the city. Approximately 3,700 booth-level officers (BLOs) are facilitating the distribution, making it easier for residents to obtain these forms locally.

In addition to the physical distribution efforts, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has made it possible to apply online via its official voter portal, enabling eligible individuals to submit Form-6 digitally.

In various neighborhoods, BLOs have begun receiving forms from local offices and are tasked with providing them to residents who request them. Applicants have the convenience of completing and submitting their forms on the same day.

In select constituencies, BLOs are also organizing booth-level camps specifically designed for the collection and distribution of Form-6 applications.

While the initial deadline for submitting Form-6 was set for January 8, there has been no official update regarding any possible extension. This situation arises after Tamil Nadu had already received two extensions for the SIR enumeration process. In several regions, officials are concentrating on digitizing enumeration forms, many of which have reported discrepancies, which is hindering the complete rollout of the enrollment.

Those choosing the online option can complete Form-6 submission through www.voters.eci.gov.in. The application requires basic personal information such as name, address, and constituency. For documentation, applicants may upload a self-attested Aadhaar card as proof of date of birth and residency.

For cases where there are errors in Aadhaar details, alternative documents like birth certificates, PAN cards, driving licenses, or Class 10 or 12 mark sheets can be used to verify age. Proof of residence can be confirmed through utility bills, bank passbooks, gas connection documents, or passports.

The ECI has encouraged eligible citizens, particularly new voters and those who were previously omitted, to submit their Form-6 applications promptly, assuring that voter identity cards will be issued within approximately two weeks of approval.

According to data from the GCC, Chennai has about 4 million registered voters, with 99.8% of SIR forms already digitized. However, only around 70% of voters returned the forms, while the rest were digitized under categories such as shifted or absent, as per ECI guidelines. Some voters have expressed difficulty with the online portal, encountering issues while submitting Form-6 digitally, which has led them to rely on manual submission. Authorities are expected to resolve these challenges as the electoral roll finalization continues.