In pursuance of directions issued by the Election Commission of India, a meeting to review preparatory arrangements for the forthcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Electoral Roll was chaired by the District Election Officer/Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Romil Singh Donk, IAS, on March 2 at the VC Room of the DC Office, Leh.

The meeting was attended by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs)/Tehsildars, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and district presidents/representatives of recognised political parties. The Special Revision of the Electoral Roll (SRL) is tentatively scheduled to commence in April 2026.

The District Election Officer emphasized the timely appointment of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) by political parties and stressed close coordination between BLOs and BLAs to ensure accuracy of entries and elimination of duplication in the electoral roll. It was decided that joint training sessions for BLOs and BLAs would be conducted at the district level, followed by capacity-building programmes at the sub-divisional level under the supervision of the SDMs.

Deliberations were also held on polling station infrastructure and rationalisation. Political parties were invited to submit representations regarding the shifting of polling stations, if required. Tehsildars were directed to review polling stations in terms of basic amenities, accessibility, distance from headquarters, and vulnerability mapping. Special focus was laid on far-flung areas such as Dungti and Chumur to ensure inclusive coverage.

The meeting further discussed manpower planning, requisition of stationery, internet connectivity, and contingency arrangements, including the deployment of reserve BLOs. BLOs were instructed to maintain proper documentation and preserve all supporting records to avoid discrepancies.

Quarterly coordination meetings between AEROs and political parties were also proposed, with minutes of the meetings to be submitted to the District Election Officer for review.

Among those present physically were Padma Angmo, JKAS, Deputy District Election Officer, Leh; the SDM Khaltse; and district presidents/representatives of the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and Bahujan Samaj Party, Leh. AEROs/Tehsildars of various subdivisions and the District President of the Aam Aadmi Party, Leh, joined the meeting virtually.

The District Election Officer underscored the need for collective cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure that the SIR is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner in accordance with the guidelines of the Election Commission.