Karnataka CM Seeks ECI To Give Adequate Time for Left Out Electors To File Claims

BENGALURU: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday raised concerns over 1.08 electors marked under Absent, Permanently Shifted, Dead, Already Enrolled (Duplicate) and Other (ASDDO) in the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls exercise by the Election Commission of India out of 5, 54, 32, 316 electors as on June 16 in the State. The exercise conducted from June 30 to August 17 has 4, 46, 35, 975 electors in the draft published on Monday.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday, Shivakumar brought to the notice of the Election Commissioner around 43 lakh electors facing notices for logical discrepancies and the Chief Minister asked Election Commissioner to extend the period for claims and objections so that genuine voters excluded from the draft roll published have adequate time to file claims.

Other requests to the Election Commissioner were to direct all Chief Electoral Officers to fully implement the prescribed procedure including Gram Sabhas in rural areas and ward committee meetings in urban areas with adequate publicity.

Extend the time given to voters facing notices for logical discrepancies and increase the number of EROs and if necessary, DEOs to handle the enormous volume of claims, objections and applications and prevent errors and unfair exclusions.

Shivakumar stated mobility, poverty, lack of documentation/information must not become reasons for disenfranchisement. The objective must be a voter roll that is accurate, trusted and above all, one that ensures that no genuine voter is left out. ECI will publish its final electoral roll of the SIR exercise on October 27.

The Chief Minister assured ECI to provide all possible assistance including mobilising the local administration for Gram Sabhas and Ward Committee meetings to reach affected voters and providing any other coordination or logical support required by the Commission.