Assam CM Defends Voter List Integrity Amid Opposition Claims

Chief Minister Responds to Allegations

Guwahati, Jan 5: In light of accusations from opposition parties regarding significant irregularities in Assam's electoral rolls, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized on Monday that the responsibility for compiling the voters' list rests entirely with the Election Commission of India (ECI), asserting that the BJP has no involvement in this process.

During a press conference in Guwahati, Sarma stated, “The ECI holds full accountability for the voters’ list. The BJP has no influence over it. We will also raise our objections, as there is a deadline until January 22 for submitting complaints.”

This statement came in response to Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia's claims that the BJP intends to add “5,000 to 10,000 names” in each constituency at the last minute to sway the upcoming Assembly elections.

Sarma challenged the Congress party, saying, “If they believe we will manipulate 10,000 votes, they should file a complaint. They can submit Form 6 for corrections. There are three forms available: Form 6, Form 7, and Form 8. If there’s an error in a name, Form 6 can be used for corrections. Merely engaging in media disputes will not resolve the issue.”

He acknowledged that the BJP has also identified errors in the draft electoral rolls. “We have observed instances where deceased individuals or those residing in Kerala are still listed as voters. The BJP will also report such discrepancies and submit complaints before the January 22 deadline. It is common for draft lists to contain errors, which can be rectified through claims and objections using Forms 6, 7, and 8,” he explained.

Previously, Saikia had accused the ruling party of issuing a “secret directive” to include non-Assamese voters in the electoral rolls to secure their hold on power. He claimed, “A covert order from the BJP aims to add at least 5,000 to 10,000 names at the last moment through non-Assamese voters, allowing the BJP, which disregards the Constitution, to maintain control for another five years,” alleging that names were added without the residents' awareness in certain regions.