Maharashtra's Voter List Delay: 1.22 Crore Notices Pending Publication
The Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra has yet to release the list of voters flagged for discrepancies, affecting over 1.22 crore individuals.
1.22 crore voters in Maharashtra have received notices for discrepancies or being unmapped.
Special camps for new electors will be held on October 17, 18, 24, and 25.
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed to halt the SIR process, citing constitutional violations.
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has not yet made public the list of 1.22 crore voters who received notices during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. These notices were issued due to 'logical discrepancies' or for being 'unmapped' in previous SIRs. The Election Commission of India (ECI) mandated that each state's CEO publish these lists on their respective websites as part of Phase 3 of the SIR.
Sources from the CEO's office indicated that the responsibility for publishing the list lies with the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). An official stated that the publication process is ongoing at their level, but no specific timeline has been provided for when the list will be available. The total includes 59.75 lakh individuals categorized as unmapped and 62.48 lakh flagged for logical discrepancies.
In contrast, other states such as Karnataka, Telangana, and Delhi, which have significantly lower figures, have already released their lists. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra CEO has announced special camps on October 17, 18, 24, and 25, aimed at facilitating the inclusion of new or previously excluded electors. Citizens are encouraged to verify their names in the draft electoral roll and submit any claims or objections by October 26.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was presented in the Supreme Court, requesting a halt to the SIR process in Maharashtra. The petition claims that the SIR is arbitrary and unconstitutional, violating Articles 14, 19(1)(a), and 21 of the Constitution. It alleges that the process is being conducted in blatant disregard for the rule of law and the Representation of People Act, 1950, leading to what it describes as 'selective disenfranchisement.' The court has yet to issue any notices regarding this matter.
Senior advocate Arvind Datar raised concerns about the implications of the SIR process, noting that out of 9.8 crore voters, 2 crore have been removed from the rolls. He questioned the rationale behind the notices issued for logical discrepancies, emphasizing that once an individual possesses an Aadhar card, the verification process should conclude there. The ongoing situation raises significant concerns regarding the integrity of the electoral process in Maharashtra.
