Ahead of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process scheduled to begin from July 1, the Odisha government imposed a ban on Wednesday on the transfer and posting of officials engaged in election-related duties to ensure the exercise is completed smoothly and within the stipulated timeframe.

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The directive was issued through an important note sheet circulated by Chief Secretary Anu Garg to all departments following instructions from the Election Commission of India.

According to the order, officials associated with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls, including District Election Officers (DEOs), Collectors, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), BLO Supervisors and Booth Level Officers (BLOs), will not be transferred without prior approval from the Election Commission of India.

The State government has also directed departments to ensure that no posts linked to the electoral roll preparation process remain vacant. Authorities have been asked to immediately fill vacant positions of EROs, AEROs, BLO Supervisors and BLOs to avoid any disruption in the SIR exercise.

The Special Intensive Revision programme is a crucial process undertaken before elections to update and verify voter lists. Officials involved in the process are expected to require extensive administrative and manpower support during the revision exercise.

The Chief Secretary’s note further stated that adequate human resources must be made available to all election-related officers to help carry out the programme effectively.

In another key instruction, the government has clarified that a single officer should not be assigned multiple ERO or AERO responsibilities, a move aimed at improving efficiency and accountability.

The Odisha government’s decision is being viewed as a significant administrative step to maintain transparency, accuracy and timely completion of the voter list revision process across the State.

With the SIR exercise set to commence from July 1, the administration is now focusing on strengthening the electoral machinery and ensuring uninterrupted coordination among officials at every level.

“Any vacant position of ERO/ AERO/BLO Supervisor/ BLO shall be filled immediately. No transfer or posting of existing DEOS and Collectors, DEO and Commissioner, BMC, EROS, AEROS, Deputy Collectors (Elections), BLO Supervisors, BLOS involved in SIR preparatory activities may be effected without prior clearance from the Election Commission of India through the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha; and no officer may be allowed to remain in charge of more than one ERO or AERO position,” the note sheet said.