• Source:JND
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Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP, Rahul Gandhi, has intensified his ‘vote chori’ claims, accusing the Election Commission (EC) of protecting what he terms “vote thieves.” Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, he alleged that during the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, thousands of Congress supporters' names were targeted for removal through a centralised, software-driven process.

Highlighting the Aland constituency, he said nearly 6,000 names were reportedly picked by a program that used the “first voter in every booth” to impersonate applicants seeking deletions, News18 reported. Gandhi said that both a voter whose name was nearly deleted and a neighbour whose information was misused, both of whom denied filing such requests.

Intensifying his claims, Gandhi claimed that the same software-based system was being used across multiple states to manipulate electoral rolls. In Maharashtra’s Rajura constituency, he alleged that 6,815 names were fraudulently added, indicating that the software was capable of both deleting and adding voter names. Gandhi further stated that the operation was not confined to Karnataka and Maharashtra, but also extended to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

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He demanded that the Election Commission release within a week detailed data on the mobile numbers and OTPs used in these voter roll applications.

What Is The Process Of Voter Deletion In India?

The Representation of the People Act, 1950, along with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, outlines the procedures for removing a voter’s name from the electoral rolls. These laws are intended to prevent the misuse and safeguard the rights of voters, ensuring that no voter is removed without prior notice or opportunity to challenge the deletion.

- Form 7: To request the removal of the name from the electoral roll or object to any entry, Form 7 should be submitted to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). Form 7 requires key details such as the name of the constituency, the voter’s EPIC number, the reason for deletion, and the applicant’s personal information and signature. After the form is filed, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) issues an acknowledgement.

- Valid Grounds For Deletion: The law allows only a few specific reasons for removing voters’ names from the rolls. This includes: the person has permanently moved to another constituency, is not found at the registered address, is listed more than once, has passed away, or is not an Indian citizen. Deletions cannot be requested on political or arbitrary grounds.

- Application Screening Process: Every Form 7 application for voter deletion is officially recorded upon submission. If the application is found to be incomplete or contains errors, it can be rejected during the initial screening itself.

- Notice and Hearing Required: When a voter's name is proposed for deletion, the ERO should issue a formal notice to the individual. The notice includes the date, time, and location of the hearing. It can be delivered in person, sent by registered post, or affixed at the voter’s residence.

- On-Ground by BLO: The BLO conducts a field visit to verify the details in the deletion request. The site visit includes checking if the voter still resides at the given address, has passed away, or if the entry is a duplicate. Then, the BLO submits a report to the ERO for further action.

- Right To Be Heard: Both the applicant requesting the deletion and the person whose name is being challenged have the right to be heard. The ERO can request supporting documents, require personal appearances, and even record sworn statements before making a decision.

- Final Decision: After reviewing the evidence, the ERO either approves the deletion request or rejects it. If approved, the voter's name is removed from the roll and updated in the next revision of the electoral roll.

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- Right To Appeal: A voter who feels their name has been wrongly removed from the rolls can appeal against the ERO decision. They may also reapply for inclusion in the electoral roll by submitting a Form 6 with a valid proof of residence and identity. Additionally, making false declarations in the Form 7 application is punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.