Shillong: Meghalaya's State Election Department has confirmed it holds no official evidence of dual voters in border areas despite persistent allegations from local groups. The admission comes as the department prepares for a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls using data dating back to 2005.
Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari stated that the upcoming exercise will follow Election Commission of India guidelines. The revision will use the 2005 rolls as a primary reference point to update voter information in contested sectors like Block I, Block II, and Langpih. While residents and pressure groups frequently claim individuals are registered in both Meghalaya and Assam, the CEO maintains there is no documented proof of these irregularities.
The department has started training personnel for the field verification process. Booth Level Officers will visit households to distribute forms and verify residents. To qualify for the rolls, individuals must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside within the state. Defining residency remains a complex issue in regions where jurisdiction between Shillong and Dispur is still under dispute.
Voters are required to provide family linkage documents or Electoral Photo Identity Cards to prove their status. Tiwari noted that Aadhaar may be accepted as identification, provided it aligns with legal provisions and national election guidelines. The department considers itself fully prepared to carry out the update and ensure the accuracy of the voter registry.
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