Amidst the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across Hyderabad and other Telangana districts, concerns have emerged among residents regarding the potential misuse of 'Form 7' to remove genuine voters. Election authorities, however, reassure the public that filing this form does not automatically lead to a voter's deletion; Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) follow a stringent verification process before making any decision.
An objection submitted via Form 7 initiates a detailed examination by the ERO. Officials not only conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations but also provide the concerned elector a fair opportunity to present their case. The Representation of the People Act, 1950, specifically under Section 22, mandates this 'reasonable opportunity of being heard' before any entry correction or deletion from electoral rolls. Moreover, Section 24 offers an appeal mechanism for affected individuals against such decisions.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) permits citizens to utilize Form 7 to challenge a name's inclusion on an electoral roll or request an existing entry's removal. Valid grounds include instances of death, permanent relocation, duplicate enrollment, underage registration, or questions regarding a person's Indian citizenship. Applicants must submit relevant proof to the ERO; merely filing the form does not substantiate the claim. The ECI's guidelines clearly place the burden of proof on the applicant to justify the objection.
Hyderabad's SIR currently involves the notice phase, where voters summoned for hearings address various discrepancies. These notices fall broadly under 'Anomaly' or 'No Mapping' categories. On the designated hearing day, electors must appear at the specified center with necessary documents. There, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) records their details in a 'BLO Verification Certificate' and a 'Speaking Order,' capturing a selfie photograph with the elector and uploading document images to the official ECI app.
The period for claims and objections concludes on September 16. Individuals whose names are absent from the draft list can apply using 'Form 6' to register as new voters. Similarly, 'Form 8' is available for those needing to correct inaccurate details within their existing electoral roll entries.
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đź“° Source: Siasat Gulf