Demand for Scrutiny of 25,661 Voter Deletion Requests in Maharashtra
Civil rights activists urge comprehensive review of voter deletion applications amid concerns over verification processes.
25,661 applications for voter deletion submitted in Maharashtra.
Thane leads with the highest number of deletion requests at 2,173.
Activists call for detailed scrutiny to ensure genuine voters are protected.
In Maharashtra, civil rights activists have called for a thorough examination of 25,661 Form 7 applications submitted between August 31 and October 11, which seek the removal of names from the draft electoral roll. The demand arises from concerns regarding the verification process, with activists emphasizing that each application should undergo meticulous scrutiny to prevent any unjust deletions.
Activist Ulka Mahajan highlighted the inadequacies in field-level verification, noting that booth-level officers often fail to reach voters' residences as required. She stated, "Applications for deletions have to be thoroughly checked in the wake of mass deletion cases in other states," underscoring the need for vigilance in the current electoral process.
The highest number of deletion requests was recorded in Thane, with 2,173 applications, followed by Ahmednagar (1,551), Mumbai City (1,455), Mumbai Suburban (1,319), and Jalgaon (1,246). These five districts collectively account for approximately 30% of the total applications. The claims-and-objections period for the draft electoral roll has been extended to October 26, with the final roll set to be published on November 16.
The urgency for a detailed review stems from the Election Commission of India's (ECI) recent directive, which limits Form 7 submissions to ten per individual during the claims-and-objections phase. Activists argue that this cap alone does not safeguard the rights of legitimate voters, insisting that every objection must be verified before any name is removed. They also requested a breakdown of applications by assembly constituency to identify where the requests originated.
R Rao, who is monitoring the claims-and-objections phase of the special intensive revision exercise across states, emphasized the importance of transparency. He suggested that assembly-wise and polling booth-wise data should be made publicly available, either on the chief electoral officer's website or through social media channels. Currently, the district-wise data lacks a constituency-wise breakdown, making it difficult to ascertain if specific constituencies are being disproportionately affected. Under ECI guidelines, electoral registration officers are tasked with reviewing objections according to the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, ensuring that only valid objections are considered.
