Over 80K applications received for voter name deletion, 4.8 lakh new registrations: Delhi CEO

Delhi: Amid a heated exchange between the ruling AAP and opposition BJP over alleged name deletions from Delhi’s electoral roll ahead of the upcoming polls, the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office reported on Monday that it has received 82,450 applications for deletions and 4.8 lakh for new registrations since November 29.

In a statement, the CEO office said that the final electoral roll is being prepared and will be published on January 6, 2025, after incorporating any additions, deletions, or modifications.

The office also revealed that FIRs have been lodged against eight individuals for allegedly submitting false documents to register as voters in the Okhla Assembly constituency. “Submission of false documents for obtaining Voter ID is a punishable offence. Strict action will be taken against such violations,” the statement emphasised.

The AAP and BJP have been at odds over allegations of deliberate voter deletions in Delhi. AAP accused BJP of filing bulk deletion requests in constituencies where they anticipate losing, while BJP alleged that AAP is enabling illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants to obtain voter ID cards to use them as a vote bank.

The CEO office stated it is conducting the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls with a qualifying date of January 1, 2025, in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines, ensuring updated and inclusive rolls for all eligible voters.

Between August 20 and October 18, 2024, Booth Level Officers carried out house-to-house verification to identify unregistered eligible citizens, those turning 18 by October 1, 2025, and voters who were deceased, permanently shifted, or duplicated. Subsequently, the draft electoral rolls were published on October 29, 2024, inviting the public to file claims and objections until November 28, 2024. These claims and objections were resolved by December 24, 2024.

The statement highlighted that since November 29, 4,85,624 applications for new registrations, 82,450 for deletions, and 1,71,385 for modifications have been received. The final electoral roll, reflecting these updates, will be published on January 6, 2025.

The CEO office warned that holding multiple entries in the electoral roll or multiple voter ID cards is a punishable offence under Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. FIRs have already been filed against eight individuals for false voter registrations in Okhla, with strict action promised for future violations.

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The office also mentioned that meetings with political party representatives were held throughout the special summary revision period. It urged political parties in Delhi to file objections regarding any additions, deletions, or modifications to the electoral roll during the revision or continuous updating process with the concerned officials.

(With inputs from PTI)