Voter List Verification: A Checklist for Candidates and Booth Teams

Booth Management - 2026-10-18 - ATTPL EMS

Voter list verification - booth volunteers checking a printed voter list under a shamiana in a Rajasthan village

Every election, whether for a Gram Panchayat, municipality, assembly or Lok Sabha, begins with the electoral roll. If eligible voters are missing, or names are wrong or duplicated, people may be unable to vote and disputes can follow. Candidates and their booth teams have a legitimate role in helping keep the voter list accurate through the official processes. This checklist explains how to do it properly and lawfully.

Who prepares the voter list

Electoral rolls for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are prepared under the Election Commission of India through Electoral Registration Officers and Booth Level Officers (BLOs). For Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections, the State Election Commission prepares the rolls, generally based on the assembly rolls, ward by ward. Knowing which authority is responsible tells you where to file claims and objections.

Check the draft roll early

Obtain the draft roll for your booth or ward as soon as it is published.
Check names, ages, gender, relation names and house numbers against your knowledge of the area.
List eligible residents who are missing, especially young people who have just turned 18.
Note entries that appear duplicated or relate to people who have died or permanently shifted.
Check that the polling station assignment is correct for each locality.

Use the right forms

For rolls maintained by the Election Commission of India, citizens use standard forms, available on the Voters' Service Portal and the Voter Helpline app:

Form 6: inclusion of a new voter.
Form 7: objection to an existing entry, such as a deceased or shifted person.
Form 8: correction of details, shifting within or outside a constituency, or replacement of an EPIC.

For local body rolls, follow the claims and objections procedure notified by the State Election Commission. Applications should be made by the person concerned or as permitted under the rules, never on behalf of others without authority.

Work within the claims and objections window

Every revision has a fixed period for claims and objections. Prepare your list of issues before it opens, help eligible residents file their own applications with correct documents, and keep acknowledgement numbers. Raise genuine objections with evidence; frivolous or mass objections can be rejected and may attract legal consequences.

Coordinate with the BLO respectfully

Booth Level Officers verify applications in the field. Share information with them politely, attend booth-level meetings where they are held and respond to queries quickly. Political parties may appoint Booth Level Agents to work with BLOs under ECI guidelines; independent candidates and volunteers can still help residents use official channels.

Special attention for vulnerable voters

Some groups are more likely to be missing from rolls or to face problems on polling day: young first-time voters, migrant workers, women who have moved after marriage, elderly people, persons with disabilities and residents of new colonies. Booth teams can make special efforts to inform these residents about registration and correction, help them check their entries online and tell them about facilities such as assistance for persons with disabilities at polling stations. This is a service to democracy, not just to a campaign.

Keep clean records

A booth-wise sheet of missing names, corrections and objections filed.
Acknowledgement numbers and dates.
Status after final publication of the roll.
Contact details of residents who need help on polling day.

Digital tools make this far easier than paper registers. ATTPL's election management software and our guide to booth management explain how booth teams can organise this work.

Stay within the law and the code of conduct

Never collect voters' EPIC cards, never pressure anyone to apply or object, and never offer inducements. Personal data from voter lists should be used only for lawful election purposes and handled carefully. Our model code of conduct checklist covers related rules, and ATTPL Legal can advise on legal questions.

Why accurate rolls matter for democracy

An accurate voter list protects every citizen's right to vote and reduces disputes on polling day. Leaders who focus on participation and fairness build lasting trust; Maya Godara has written about the responsibilities of new panchayat leaders. To learn how ATTPL EMS supports election teams with non-partisan tools and training, contact us.

Frequently asked questions

Which form is used to add a new voter?

For rolls maintained by the Election Commission of India, Form 6 is used for inclusion of a new voter.

Who prepares voter lists for panchayat elections?

The State Election Commission prepares rolls for panchayat and urban local body elections, generally based on assembly rolls.

Can a booth volunteer file forms on behalf of voters?

Applications should be made by the person concerned or as permitted by the rules. Volunteers can help residents use official channels but must not act without authority.

Sources: Election Commission of India - Voters' Service Portal, State Election Commission, Rajasthan