Election Chief Visits Jharkhand to Ensure Accuracy of Voter Lists

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar arrived in Deoghar, located in Jharkhand's Santhal Pargana division, on January 4, 2026, for a two-day official visit focused on preparations for the upcoming Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The tour underscores the Election Commission's emphasis on ensuring accurate and updated voter lists ahead of potential future polls in the state.

Upon arrival, Kumar performed puja at the revered Baba Baidyanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, accompanied by family members. He later visited additional sites including Naulakha Temple and AIIMS Deoghar, blending spiritual engagements with administrative duties.

The itinerary includes a trip to Basukinath Dham in Dumka district on January 5, followed by interactions with local Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Deoghar and meetings with district collectors across the region. These discussions aim to streamline the SIR process, which involves extensive household verification and mapping of current voters against historical rolls.

Also Read: ECI to Begin Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls in Telangana

The visit gains political significance amid ongoing opposition claims, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party, regarding alleged demographic shifts in Santhal Pargana due to infiltration. A Central government affidavit submitted to the Jharkhand High Court in 2024 noted a 16 percent decline in tribal population share from 1951 to 2011, alongside increases in Muslim population proportions across six districts.

While the Election Commission maintains the SIR as a routine measure for electoral integrity, the CEC's direct engagement in the sensitive region highlights efforts to address verification challenges transparently, as the revision drive approaches its implementation phase in February 2026.

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