Has the ECI Commanded States to Distribute Booth-Wise ASD Lists to Party Agents?
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has directed states to provide Booth Level Agents with detailed lists of absent, shifted, or deceased voters. This initiative aims to enhance the transparency and accuracy of electoral rolls and ensure no eligible voter is left behind.
Key Takeaways
ECI's Directive: States must share ASD lists with political party agents.
Transparency: This move aims to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls.
Collaboration: Involvement of political parties at the booth level strengthens the verification process.
Voter Inclusion: The initiative ensures no eligible voter is omitted.
Accessibility: ASD lists will be available on official websites.
New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has mandated Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across all 12 states and Union Territories that are currently engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to guarantee that Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties obtain booth-specific lists of voters classified as Absent, Shifted, or Dead/Duplicate (ASD).
This initiative mimics the approach taken during the Bihar SIR and is designed to promote transparency and accuracy in the electoral roll revision process.
As per the Commission's statement, the ASD lists consist of names of voters who remained unreachable even after three or more attempts by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
The ECI has instructed that these lists must be distributed to BLAs appointed by district presidents of political parties prior to the release of the draft electoral rolls.
In this operation, nearly 500,000 BLOs from the 12 states and UTs undergoing SIR will hold booth-level meetings with over 1.2 million BLAs.
During these sessions, BLOs will personally deliver the ASD lists and solicit feedback to establish the accurate status of each elector. The Commission highlighted that this joint verification is vital for correcting any mistakes before the draft electoral rolls are published.
“This is to determine the precise status of each elector on the ASD list, ensuring any inaccuracies are amended prior to the release of the draft Electoral Rolls. This measure aligns with the ECI’s pledge that no eligible elector is omitted,” the Commission stated in its press release.
The ECI reiterated that this action reinforces its commitment to ensure that no eligible elector is left off the rolls. By involving political entities at the booth level, the Commission aspires to establish a more resilient framework for cross-verification and error identification.
“Upon the publication of the draft Electoral Roll, similar to the Bihar SIR, booth-wise/assembly-wise/district-wise ASD lists will be accessible on the websites of the respective DEOs/DMs (district-specific) as well as on the CEO site, and this will also be available in an EPIC-searchable format,” it added.
Point of View
I believe this directive from the ECI is a positive step towards ensuring the integrity of our electoral system. By involving political parties at the grassroots level, we create a more accountable and transparent process, fostering trust among voters.
NationPress
7 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ECI sharing these lists with political parties?
The ECI aims to enhance transparency and accuracy in the electoral roll revision process, ensuring that no eligible elector is left out.
How many states are involved in the Special Intensive Revision?
There are 12 states and Union Territories currently undergoing the Special Intensive Revision.
What is the role of Booth Level Agents?
Booth Level Agents help verify the status of voters and provide feedback to the Election Commission to correct any errors.
When will the draft electoral rolls be published?
The draft electoral rolls will be published after the completion of the verification process involving Booth Level Officers and political parties.
