Meghalaya voter verification has entered a crucial phase after election authorities flagged 6,51,644 electors for notice and further scrutiny under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Election Department has clarified that being flagged does not mean automatic deletion from the electoral roll. Each case will be examined individually, with voters given an opportunity to respond and present supporting documents.
The latest review of the SIR process was held on August 18 with Deputy Commissioners, District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs). Officials reviewed the progress of notices, hearings, claims and objections across the state.
Why Meghalaya voter verification flagged these records
Of the 6,51,644 electors identified for scrutiny, 2,22,786 fall under the “No Mapping” category, meaning their current electoral records could not be mapped to the previous SIR records from 2005. Another 4,28,858 electors were identified with discrepancies during the mapping process.
The discrepancies detected through the ECINET system include differences between an elector’s name and the corresponding name in earlier records. Officials have also identified mismatches involving parents’ names and unusual age relationships between family members.
Other indicators include unusually small age gaps between siblings linked to the same parent, more than six children linked to a single parent and unusual age differences between electors and grandparents. Authorities have stressed that these indicators require verification and do not by themselves establish that an elector is ineligible.
Notices and hearings are already underway
The Election Department has instructed EROs and AEROs to generate and serve notices promptly and prepare systematic hearing schedules. Hearings have already begun, allowing affected electors to explain discrepancies and submit prescribed documents.
The process is intended to provide due opportunity to voters before any decision is taken. The Chief Electoral Officer has reiterated that no name appearing in the Draft Electoral Roll will be deleted without due process, including notice, an inquiry and a fair opportunity for the concerned elector to present their case.
For voters who receive a notice, officials have advised them to attend the hearing on the specified date and carry the required documents. Electors whose names are already present in the draft roll and whose records have been successfully mapped with the 2005 SIR records do not need to take further action at this stage.
Draft roll and claims process
The Draft Electoral Roll for all 60 Assembly constituencies in Meghalaya was published on August 5. The period for filing claims and objections will continue until September 4, while the notice and hearing phase and disposal of claims and objections are scheduled to continue until October 3. The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on October 7, 2026.
Electors whose names are missing from the draft roll can seek inclusion by submitting Form 6, along with the prescribed declaration and supporting documents, during the claims and objections period. Applications can also be filed for corrections, shifting of residence and other changes through the prescribed forms.
The Election Department has urged citizens to check their names and particulars in the draft roll rather than waiting until the deadline. Voters can approach their ERO, AERO or Booth Level Officer (BLO) for assistance and use the available online election services to verify their details.
Political parties asked to assist voters
Political parties are also being involved in the process through Booth Level Agents (BLAs). During the August 18 review, the Election Department discussed grievance redressal, service of notices, claims and objections and the hearing process with recognised national and state political parties.
The CEO has asked parties to strengthen their BLA networks and help voters understand notices, verify their names and file claims or objections where necessary. Earlier, the Election Commission had described the SIR as a participatory exercise involving electors, election officials and political parties.
What voters should do now
The current Meghalaya voter verification exercise makes it important for electors to check the draft roll carefully. Those receiving notices should attend scheduled hearings and provide the documents requested by election officials. People whose names are absent from the draft roll should use the claims process before September 4.
The Election Department has also indicated that Electoral Roll Observers will visit districts to assess the progress of the notice and hearing process and disposal of claims and objections.
The SIR began with house-to-house enumeration on June 30. By July 28, Meghalaya had distributed 23,40,764 Enumeration Forms, covering 99.62% of its electorate, while 22,78,071 forms had been digitised.
As the verification stage progresses, officials are expected to scrutinise each flagged case according to the prescribed procedure. For voters, timely checking of records, responding to notices and filing claims or objections will be key to ensuring that eligible names remain on the final electoral roll.
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