Guwahati, Feb 18: As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), over 500 individuals have submitted appeals regarding their names after 2.43 lakh entries were removed from Assam's electoral roll.

During a press briefing in Guwahati, the ECI's full bench, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, noted that the low number of appeals indicates the effectiveness of the recent Special Revision (SR) process conducted in the state.

“The primary goal of the SR was to ensure that no eligible voter was left out and no ineligible voter was included,” Kumar explained.

The Commission introduced several innovative measures for the upcoming elections in Assam.

One notable initiative includes the establishment of special 'mobile-deposit counters' at polling stations, allowing voters to securely deposit their phones upon arrival rather than leaving them at home.

Kumar also mentioned that the ballot materials will feature color photographs of candidates instead of black-and-white images, with an increase in font size to address previous complaints.

“Each polling station will now accommodate a maximum of 1,200 voters,” he added.

Additionally, party help desks will be located at least 100 meters away from polling stations, and all polling stations will have 100% webcasting.

The launch of ECINET, a user-friendly app that consolidates election-related services, was also highlighted by the CEC.

When questioned about potential election dates, Kumar stated that the Commission would take Assam's major festival, Bihu, into account.

“Bihu is a significant festival for Assam, and we will plan accordingly. After returning to Delhi, we will convene a meeting to finalize the dates and phases,” he noted.

Kumar provided insights into the logistical arrangements, revealing that 31,486 polling stations will be established—27,711 in rural areas and 3,775 in urban settings, with an average of 793 voters per station.

There will be 126 model polling stations and 3,716 polling stations managed by women.

Describing the revised electoral roll as 'inclusive', Kumar emphasized the focus on engaging youth, with dedicated Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) tasked with outreach in colleges.

The Commission assured that all polling stations would meet Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) standards, including access to drinking water, toilets, signage, ramps, and wheelchairs for elderly and disabled voters, as well as help desks and voter facilitation centers.

Review meetings regarding election preparedness commenced on February 17, involving discussions with state administration, police, District Election Officers (DEOs), and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs).

“Elections in India are conducted in accordance with the Constitution, laws, and ECI directives. We have instructed officials to uphold the rule of law without bias,” Kumar stated.

He also emphasized that enforcement agencies must ensure complete impartiality and effective coordination.

In response to inquiries about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Kumar clarified that while SIR was implemented in 12 states, Assam's Special Revision was conducted considering the final stages of the state's NRC process.