After Row, EC Caps Form 7 Voter Deletion Applications At 10
The directive reinforces verification and procedural safeguards before names are deleted from electoral rolls.
New Delhi:The Election Commission on Friday capped the number of applications an individual elector can file seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls or objecting to their inclusion, following reports of bulk objections in Karnataka and Odisha.
An elector can submit a maximum of 10 Form 7 applications during the entire claims and objections period. During continuous updating of electoral rolls, the limit will be five applications a month.
The commission said the measures aimed to discourage bulk filing of unsubstantiated objections, reduce inconvenience to voters and ease the workload of election officials.
In instructions to chief electoral officers, the EC said the electoral registration officer (ERO) must first issue notice to the objector, conduct a personal hearing and record separate statements for each Form 7 application.
The ERO must satisfy himself or herself about the validity of each objection before disposing of the application under Rules 19 and 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. The elector whose inclusion is challenged must also be given an opportunity to be heard.
The directive reinforces verification and procedural safeguards before names are deleted from electoral rolls.
The commission asked chief electoral officers of all states and Union territories to circulate the instructions among EROs, assistant EROs and field-level officials and give the new limits adequate publicity.
