The Election Commission has embarked on a special summary revision of Assam's electoral rolls in preparation for the 2026 assembly elections. This initiative stands apart from the comprehensive revisions occurring in other states, tailored specifically to Assam's distinct citizenship framework.
Starting from November 22, booth-level officers will be conducting home visits utilizing pre-filled registers of current electors rather than blank forms. Their tasks include verifying entries, identifying duplicate or relocated voters, and facilitating citizens with applications for inclusion, deletion, or correction via standard forms during their field activities.
A significant decision in this process is that individuals marked as doubtful voters will not be subject to verification during this revision. Their names will retain the "D" marking in the draft list as before. Any alteration in their status, such as the removal of the tag, can only be authorized by orders from a tribunal or a court, thus administrative officers are prohibited from making such changes.
The classification of D-voters originates from the provisions of the 1985 Assam Accord. This accord designated those entering the state unlawfully after March 24, 1971, as foreigners. In 1997, the electoral rolls were updated, marking several thousand names as doubtful. These individuals are required to establish their citizenship in front of foreigners tribunals using legacy documents and other records. Presently, the state has nearly one lakh such voters.
This decision ensures that routine updates are conducted for all non-D voters, while doubtful voters continue to be excluded from the electoral process until they receive legal clearance. This exercise is closely linked to ongoing citizenship verification efforts, including the NRC process, aiming to maintain a clean and accurate electoral roll before the elections.
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