PANJIM: As registration of new voters began on Saturday, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has urged citizens to switch over to online registration as it is a simple digital exercise.
“The entire process of registering in the electoral roll online is fully functional with integrated system which is citizen friendly. I urge citizens, particularly the youth to use the latest technology,” CEO Kunal told a gathering after launching a publication of Draft Photo Electoral Roll in the capital on Saturday. He explained that the enrollment exercise is a robust system with simplified procedures to fill in and submit the details. This, the officer said, will also reduce errors/mistakes in the electoral roll.
“Attach the photos, address proof and age proof (other documents if required) to avoid personal interface apart from waiting in queue,” he told first time voters, reiterating that every eligible voter should be registered in the electoral process.
As per the procedure, the application will be forwarded to the assistant electoral registration officer (AERO) who will scrutinise the uploaded documents, and further upload it on the Booth Level Officer’s (BLO) network. “The BLO will visit the applicant at the address provided in the form to verify the documents and thereafter submit the report to the AERO. Once the EPIC card is printed, it will be dispatched to the applicant via post,” Additional CEO Narayan Navti said.
The CEO has also kept open options for those who cannot apply for online registration. “Such citizens can fill the forms and submit it to their respective BLO, Deputy Collector or Mamlatdar. The status of their application and if an applicant is required for any inquiry into documents submitted, will be communicated via SMS,” he stated.
The enrollment programme that began on Saturday will continue till October 31, 2018 following which claims/objections will be disposed in November and preparation of the database will be carried out in December. The distribution of the new EPIC cards will begin from January next year. It was also announced that existing voters can also route to online system to apply for any changes in the voter’s card.
