Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Punjab Dr S Karuna Raju held a press conference to apprise about the commencement of Special Summary Revision - of Photo Electoral Roll w.r.t. 01.01.2023 as the qualifying date. Dr Raju apprised the media personnel that consequent upon amendment in Section 14 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and corresponding changes in the Registration of Electors Rule, 1960, provision of four qualifying dates - 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October has been introduced and these dates will come into effect from the start of revision activities from November 9, 2022.
Delivering a presentation, CEO Punjab emphasized that as per the previous rule January 1st was taken as the qualifying date and citizens attaining the age of 18 years after January 1st had to wait for next year to be eligible to apply as a voter. "Now, with amendment in the registration rule, citizens will get four opportunities in a year to register as a voter," he said.
CEO Punjab along with Additional CEO Punjab Sh. B Srinivasan, informed the media personnel that the process of collection of Aadhar number of registered electors on a voluntary basis has begun. Form 6B has been introduced for the purpose of voluntary collection of Aadhar card numbers. Electors can submit the form through online/offline mode, however, thrust shall be placed on online mode.
Dr Raju said that the pre-revision process will take place between the period of August 4, 2022, to October 24, 2022, which will include rationalization/re-arrangement of polling stations and removal of discrepancies in Demographically Similar Entries (DSEs) and Photo Similar Entries (PSEs) in EPICs.
Revision activities will be held between the period of 09.11.2022 to 08.12.2022 and citizens will also get the opportunity for filing claims and objections during this period, he added.CEO Punjab highlighted that special camps will be held on November 19 and 20, 2022, and December 3 and 4, 2022 where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will be present at their respective polling stations.