Pune: Incessant rain over the last few days has forced booth-level officers (BLOs) to shift part of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise indoors, with camps being organised at housing societies, community halls and wedding halls across Pune district to speed up voter verification.The camp-based model has come up in large residential complexes, where visiting every flat has become time-consuming due to the weather and the sheer number of households. Voters can collect and submit enumeration forms, clarify documentation requirements and complete verification at a single location.The SIR exercise began on June 30. Election officials said about 20% of enumeration forms have been distributed in Pune district so far, while the statewide figure is 40%.“Heavy rain has affected field movement in several areas. Instead of knocking on every door in large housing societies, we coordinate with the management committees and set up a camp in the clubhouse or community hall. Residents can come at a convenient time, collect or submit forms and get their queries resolved,” a BLO involved in the exercise said.Another BLO said the camps have made the process more efficient. “Many residents are away at work during the day, while some newly developed localities are difficult to navigate. At a camp, we can interact with several families together, verify documents and complete the process much faster. Once the rains subside, regular door-to-door visits will continue,” the official said.Several residential societies and local organisers have made their premises available for the exercise. A housing society in Wanowrie opened its clubhouse for the SIR camp, while a wedding hall in Kondhwa has been converted into a verification centre, with officials from 10 polling booths processing forms simultaneously.Election officials said the camps are meant to supplement, not replace, door-to-door verification. BLOs have been instructed to revisit houses where residents were unavailable earlier and prioritise senior citizens, persons with disabilities and those unable to attend the camps.For many elderly voters, however, home visits remain the preferred option. “I have been waiting for the BLO to visit because travelling outside is not easy at my age. Many senior citizens would find it convenient if the verification is completed at home,” S N Mehta, an 80-year-old resident of Pune Camp, said.Aundh resident Usha Kulkarni said she lives alone and stepping out during the monsoon is difficult. “I hope the BLO comes home because many elderly residents depend on doorstep verification,” she added.Helpdesk for electorsThe Pune district administration has set up a helpdesk at the collectorate for voters with SIR-related queries.Three officials have been deployed to assist voters from all 21 assembly constituencies.Officials said more society-level camps will be organised in the coming days, particularly in densely populated residential areas, to maintain the pace of the revision despite the monsoonDoor-to-door visits will continue simultaneously, especially for elderly, bedridden and differently abled voters who are unable to attend the campsThe helpdesk guides citizens on BLO details, form distribution, documentation requirements and other grievances related to the SIR exercise. Voters who need assistance can approach us directlyMinal Kalaskar I Deputy election officer
