Assam Assembly Elections: Voter Roll Integrity Under Scrutiny
Political Tensions Rise Over Voter Roll Integrity
Guwahati, Jan 7: As the Assam Assembly elections approach, a fierce political dispute has emerged regarding the credibility of the electoral rolls. The Opposition has raised concerns about potential voter manipulation, while the government has categorically denied these allegations.
During a recent address in Dhemaji, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the current revision of the electoral rolls, emphasizing that the process is transparent and adheres to established regulations.
Sarma highlighted that all political parties share the responsibility of ensuring an accurate voter list. He stated, “If a voter has passed away, their name should be removed. If someone is registered in multiple locations, one entry must be deleted to prevent issues with duplicate voters later on. It is crucial for every political party to maintain a clean electoral roll.” He even called on the Congress party to assist in removing deceased individuals from the rolls.
He pointed out that each political party designates Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to help election officials verify the voter lists on the ground.
Regarding the complaint process, Sarma explained that any Indian citizen can file objections or request corrections using statutory Forms 6, 7, or 8. He clarified, “Names are not removed immediately. When an objection is raised, a notice is sent to the individual concerned, allowing them to respond. Corrections are made only after thorough verification and a hearing.”
Reaffirming the BJP’s political objectives, Sarma stated that the government’s intentions are clear. “Our agenda includes removing the names of illegal Bangladeshi nationals from the electoral rolls and reclaiming encroached land. The public has voted for us based on these promises,” he remarked.
In a related development, the Kamrup (M) District Election Officer issued a notification on Tuesday, confirming that the electoral roll revision is being conducted in strict compliance with the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India.
This notification acknowledged that complaints had been received regarding inconsistencies at certain polling stations and confirmed that verification efforts were initiated in response.
It was noted that at Tayabulla Road in Guwahati, voter names at House No. 15 and House No. 44 were found to be unfamiliar to the actual residents.
In one case, multiple names were registered at a single address, prompting election officials to conduct further investigations.
The election office also reported instances of deceased individuals remaining on the rolls and duplicate registrations across different polling areas, with corrective measures being implemented through the proper channels.
This clarification comes after Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia accused the BJP earlier this month of attempting to add “5,000 to 10,000 names” in each constituency at the last minute to sway election results.
The notification further stated that political parties are actively involved in the revision process through their BLAs at each polling station, and public hearings along with house-to-house surveys are being conducted to ensure transparency and accuracy.
The final electoral rolls are expected to be published on February 10.