The CEO also said at least 2.25 lakh forms have been received to add new names, update or change address. Thursday was the last date for filing claims and objections
As many as 123 new polling stations will be added in Delhi as the city gears up for the upcoming assembly polls, an official statement announced on Thursday, adding that 53 exiting stations were removed.
As per the statement from the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Delhi, Alice Vaz, rationalisation of polling stations was carried in Delhi. This process aimed to decongest polling locations with a high number of stations, as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
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“A total of 53 polling station locations were removed due to damaged or demolished buildings, while 123 new polling station locations were added. This resulted in a net increase of 70 polling station locations, ensuring better accessibility and convenience for voters across Delhi,” she said.
The CEO also said at least 2.25 lakh forms have been received to add new names, update or change address. Thursday was the last date for filing claims and objections. The process started on October 29.
“However, the process of receiving forms will continue beyond this date as part of the continuous updation process to ensure maximum participation and accuracy in the electoral roll,” the CEO said.
‘Manipulation in the electoral roll’
Amid the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s allegations of manipulation in the electoral roll, the Delhi CEO said house-to-house verification is underway across the city since August.
On Wednesday, Delhi chief minister Atishi accused that the Union government is planning a major conspiracy against the people of Delhi.
“To unfairly win the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, the government is undermining democracy. The Centre has started deleting Delhiites’ votes on a large scale through the official machinery… This is a staged conspiracy,” she said.
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She added that on October 28, 29 SDMs and ADMs were transferred, and afterward, “officials were ordered to delete votes on a large scale”.
In the statement, the CEO, without addressing any allegations, said to achieve the objective of clean and healthy electoral roll, ECI conducts special summary revision every year which consists of two distinct activities — pre-revision activities and revision activities.
“A healthy and pure electoral roll is very important in ensuring that only eligible voters exercise their rights on the poll day and there is no bogus voting,” the CEO said.
Vaz highlighted that as part of the pre-revision activities, house-to-house (H2H) verification was conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) starting from August 20.
“BLOs visited every household in Delhi to identify unenrolled voters, prospective electors who will turn 18 years by October 1, and entries requiring deletion, such as those for deceased or permanently shifted voters. Cases of multiple entries and family splits were also identified,” she added.
During this extensive verification drive, BLOs collected approximately 1.62 lakh Forms (6, 7, and 8) to address additions, deletions, and corrections in the electoral roll.
The H2H work was regularly monitored at each level — BLO Supervisors, Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO)/ Electoral Registration Officer(ERO), District Election Officer(DEO) and CEO level.
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Option Open to Add Voters
Any un-enrolled eligible citizen, who has still not enrolled himself/herself in the electoral roll, can apply for enrollment by filing Form-6 along with supporting documents. After filing of Form-6, BLO will conduct field verification.
“On the basis of BLO’s field verification report and the supporting documents, the form is disposed of by the Electoral Registration Officer concerned as per procedure laid down by the ECI,” the statement added.
They also informed that an elector cannot have a name in the electoral roll in more than one constituency or in any constituency more than once. It is a punishable offence u/s 17 & 18 of the Representation of People Act, 1950.
“In case any elector has multiple entries at different locations or holding multiple Voter I Cards, he/she shall apply in Form-7 for deletion of such Multiple Entries,” they added.
