Electoral Rolls Dynamically Evolving; RO Decision on Meenakshi Natarajan Final, Says CEC
Addressing to national media conference in New Delhi, CEC Kumar emphasised that elections were held according to the Constitution of India, Electoral Laws and instructions of the Election Commission of India issued from time to time.
New Delhi: Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that the electoral roll with nearly 95 crore Indians was a living document which was dynamically evolving with time. Referring to the statutory safeguards that underlay the preparation of the electoral roll, he added that over 12 lakh booth level officers (BLOs) and over 15 lakh booth level agents (BLAs) were involved in the process.
Addressing to national media conference in New Delhi, CEC Kumar emphasised that elections were held according to the Constitution of India, Electoral Laws and instructions of the Election Commission of India issued from time to time.
He added that the electoral process was concurrently audited by the stakeholders involved in the electoral processes in India. He noted that the highest-ever poll participation in the recent Assembly election was proof of the trust the Indian electors had in the electoral system and the vibrancy of the Indian democracy.
"If your name is there in the 2002 electoral rolls, you are presumed to be a citizen,” Kumar said. “No document is required" to participate in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral roll.
Gyanesh Kumar said that the returning officer's (RO) decision in the case involving Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan was taken in accordance with law and was the final decision under the election process.
The CEC explained that during every election, the candidate is required to submit a prescribed form disclosing details of all pending criminal cases, complaints and notices against them. Natarajan was also required to complete and submit this form. He said the candidate was given an additional day to furnish the required information, but failed to do so within the stipulated time.
"Once a complaint is received, nothing can be done outside the prescribed legal framework. The returning officer had full authority to decide such complaints," Kumar said. The RO exercised those statutory powers in Natarajan's case, and the decision was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.