Bokaro to set up VACs across all panchayats for SIR

Divy Khare|TNN

Bokaro: The district administration will set up voter assistance centres in all panchayats and wards across Bokaro district to support the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 campaign. The centres will provide facilities for printing photographs and documents required for voter verification. The initiative aims to make the electoral roll more accurate and error-free while ensuring that every eligible voter remains enrolled. Weekend assistance will also be available at polling stations.

Deputy commissioner and district electoral officer Ajay Nath Jha on Thursday said the initiative is intended to make voter verification easier and ensure that every eligible citizen remains enrolled in the electoral roll. He clarified that no voter in the district has been classified as “fake” and that the current exercise is limited to mapping and verification of voter records.

According to Jha, “The assistance centres will be equipped with colour printing facilities, enabling voters to print photographs and other required documents on the spot and attach them to verification forms. In addition, voter awareness vehicles will be deployed across all blocks to spread awareness about the revision process and encourage public participation.”

The district administration is also planning weekend outreach. Booth level officers (BLOs) will remain available at polling stations every Saturday and Sunday to assist voters with documentation, corrections and verification-related queries. Recognised political parties have also been requested to ensure the presence of their booth level agents (BLAs) during the process to enhance transparency.

Officials said the district has already completed mapping of 11,11,915 voters out of a total electorate of 15,34,886, achieving 72.44% coverage. While 4,22,971 voters are yet to be mapped, the exercise has identified 2,07,619 cases involving various anomalies that will now undergo detailed verification and resolution as per prescribed norms.

Among the assembly segments, Gomia has recorded the highest progress with 87.01% voter mapping, followed by Chandankiyari at 86.86%. Bermo has achieved 76.17%, while Bokaro assembly constituency stands at 55.65%.

The administration has appealed to residents to cooperate with officials and provide accurate information to ensure the preparation of a reliable, updated and error-free electoral roll ahead of the publication of the final voter list on October 7, 2026.