JMM urges ECI to launch Uttarakhand-style online voter search, booth mapping system in Jharkhand
Ranchi, June 13
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha on Thursday wrote to the Election Commission of India, requesting the provision of online search facilities for voter lists and booth mapping for the convenience of voters in Jharkhand, modelled on the system implemented in Uttarakhand in 2003.
The party stated that such digital tools would improve accessibility, transparency and voter participation, particularly during key democratic exercises such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
"It is respectfully submitted that the Election Commission of India is continuously striving to make the electoral rolls more accurate, inclusive, and up-to-date through important democratic exercises such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The success of such a process depends primarily on voter participation, easy access to information, and administrative transparency," the letter read.
"In this context, I would like to draw your attention to a very useful and citizen-friendly digital system developed by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer of the State of Uttarakhand. The Uttarakhand Election Department has provided a dedicated multi-purpose link on its website for searching and verifying records related to the 2003 Assembly Electoral Roll. Under this system, a comparative breakdown of polling stations for each district from 2003 to 2025 is available, allowing voters to easily access information about their past and current polling stations. This feature is particularly useful for voters whose polling stations, wards, or constituencies have changed over time," the statement read.
In its letter, the JMM stated that voters in Jharkhand face significant difficulties in searching their names in old voter lists, comparing old and current polling stations, or easily accessing historical electoral records, as these features are currently unavailable to the citizens of the state.
The party further emphasised that the unavailability of such digital features in Jharkhand may impact the effective participation of voters in crucial democratic processes, such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
"Such comprehensive and user-friendly features are currently unavailable. Voters in Jharkhand face difficulties searching their names in old voter lists, comparing old and current polling stations, or easily accessing historical electoral records. This can also impact their effective participation in crucial democratic processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)," added JMM.
Hence, the JMM requested the Election Commission of India to issue necessary instructions to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand to develop and implement online voter search and booth mapping facilities similar to those available in Uttarakhand.
"Therefore, on behalf of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, your attention is drawn towards this important issue and it is requested that the Election Commission of India may kindly issue necessary instructions to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand, so that the following facilities can be developed and implemented in Jharkhand as per Uttarakhand...We are confident that such initiatives will empower the voters of Jharkhand, increase their participation in democratic processes and further strengthen public confidence in the electoral system," the letter further read.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good move by JMM. But I hope they also focus on making the voter helpline responsive. Last election, I tried to check my name online and the portal just crashed. Digital tools are useless if the server can't handle traffic. ECI needs to ensure backend infrastructure too.
As someone from Uttarakhand who shifted to Ranchi for work, I can vouch for this system. Back home, I could check my old booth from 2014 in 2 minutes. Here, my parents had to visit the tehsil office multiple times. This is basic citizen service. Hope Jharkhand gets it soon. 👍
A very sensible proposal! But I hope the JMM doesn't just make noise and forget it. They should follow up with a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer directly. Also, the state's rural population needs offline alternatives - not everyone has internet access in remote areas of Santhal Pargana.
Honestly, JMM is right. Every election, I see elderly people struggling to find their names or verify their booth. This is 2024 and we still have such basic issues. The Uttarakhand model is proven. Let's implement it here and make voting smoother. Digital India should help, not just be a slogan.
This is smart governance. Jharkhand has a lot of internal migration due to mining and industry. Many voters change constituencies but don't know their new booth. An online search tool would help thousands. Hope the ECI acts quickly. Elections are coming and we need this before then. ✨
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