States » EastPosted at: Oct 20 2026 5:14PM


Meghalaya: Voter mapped as ‘deceased' by BLO; threatens legal action after receiving new EPIC number

Shillong, Oct 20 (UNI) A female voter was mistakenly classified as deceased during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Meghalaya.
Election authorities have initiated an inquiry into the matter and removed Booth Level Officer (BLO) Banteilang Suchiang for committing the grave error.
The discrepancy came to light after Ridalin Laloo, a voter in the Nongkrem Assembly constituency, discovered that her voter record had allegedly been mapped as "deceased" person, despite her continuing to reside in the locality.
“It was a grave error on the part of the BLO to classify my electoral record as deceased during the SIR of the electoral roll in Laitkor Kynton U Mon, Shillong, Meghalaya. This error occurred despite the fact that the BLO was fully aware that I am alive and continue to reside in the locality,” Laloo told UNI.
Although election officials restored her name to the electoral roll following the error, they issued her a new Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number without her knowledge, instead of reinstating the original.
“I objected to the change without my consent. I demanded that my original EPIC number be restored,” Laloo said.
In an effort to resolve the matter through proper channels, the voter met with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr BDR Tiwari and East Khasi Hills District Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal.
During the meetings, Laloo submitted her concerns regarding the incorrect SIR mapping and the unauthorised generation of a fresh electoral record.
“I have requested the election authorities that the erroneous classification of my record as deceased be corrected and that my existing EPIC and voter identity be protected, subject to the applicable electoral rules and verification process,” she said.
Laloo added that she has also requested that no deletion of her voter registration be finalised without following the prescribed procedure and providing her with a fair opportunity to present her case.
Acknowledging the BLO's mistake as “shocking and unfortunate,” Chief Electoral Officer Tiwari expressed regret and extended an apology to the affected voter, Ridalin Laloo.
“We have replaced the BLO and an inquiry is underway. The system does not have a revert mode—it cannot go back to the previous state, hence the difficulty in correcting the mistake. The BLO made a mistake, and we have appointed a new one,” Tiwari said.
However, Laloo warned, “If election authorities fail to restore the original details on my EPIC card, I will have no other option but to seek legal recourse.”
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Tags: #Meghalaya: Voter mapped as ‘deceased' by BLO; threatens legal action after receiving new EPIC number
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