Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the 2024 general elections, the process for revision of the voters' list began from today, informed Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nikunj Bihari Dhal.

"The special summary revision 2024 began from today. The voter can apply for correction or enrolment till December 9, 2023 both online and offline. The candidate can call 1950 for more assistance. The final list will be released on January 5, 2024," Dhal told reporters.

Total 18 IAS officers have been assigned to make the voters' list correction process transparent and unbiased.

This time, the Election Commission has directed for 100% enrolment of eligible voters belonging to primitive tribes. The focus has been made to add women and youth to the electoral roll.

A notification in this regard has been issued to all officials in collectorates, sub-collector offices, blocks, tehsils and booths.

As per the final voters' list published on January 5, 2023, the number of booths in Odisha was 37,606. Based on recommendation by the collectors, the number increased to 37,809. There were 3,23,52,119 voters in the state by January 1, 2023. Following the correction of voters' list, the number of voters reached 3,26,55,213, an increase of 3,03,094 electorates or a rise of 0.94 per cent. As per the revised voters' list, the number of voters belonging to Transgender has increased from 3,224 to 3,406.

The gender ratio of the electorate has also increased in Odisha, the CEO said.

"Compared to a gender ratio of 1000-961 earlier, now the ratio stands at 1000-963," he added.

Both the men and women voter percentages have increased in Sorada, Hinjili and Aska, he said.

For the upcoming 2024 general elections, the EVMs, VVPATs have already reached Odisha. The verification of the EVMs and VVPATs has completed in 10 districts in first phase. The verification process in remaining 20 districts will start from November 1, 2023 and end by November 15, 2023, he further said.