Uttar Pradesh Orders Comprehensive Audit of Voter Registration Forms
In response to irregularities, UP's Chief Electoral Officer mandates an audit of voter registration forms submitted since April 10.
Audit ordered for Forms 6, 7, and 8 to address past irregularities.
Officials warned of penalties for lapses in electoral roll management.
Draft electoral roll publication set for November 12, 2023.
In a decisive move to enhance electoral integrity, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer, Navdeep Rinwa, has mandated a thorough audit of all voter registration forms submitted since April 10. This directive comes in light of reported irregularities in the Pilibhit and Azamgarh districts, following the conclusion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The order was communicated during a virtual meeting held on October 24, which included divisional commissioners, district election officers, and other key personnel involved in the electoral process.
The audit will encompass Forms 6, 7, and 8, with a clear warning that any irregularities discovered will hold the electoral registration officers (EROs), assistant EROs, and computer assistants accountable under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. This section addresses breaches of official duty in the preparation of electoral rolls, and the district election officer may also face repercussions for inadequate oversight. The CEO emphasized the importance of stringent supervision and adherence to established protocols during the electoral roll management.
To prevent future discrepancies, the CEO has prohibited computer assistants from processing applications received in physical form. Instead, booth-level officers (BLOs) are required to digitize these applications using the designated BLO app, while ensuring that physical forms are securely stored. EROs are tasked with daily reviews of pending Forms 6, 7, and 8 to ensure compliance with electoral regulations and timely processing.
The meeting also addressed the necessity of resolving complaints received since April 10 through various channels, including social media and the national grievance service portal. The CEO expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed reporting from district election officers in several districts and instructed immediate action to eliminate duplicate voter entries before the upcoming Special Summary Revision (SSR) draft electoral roll is published on November 12.
As part of the ongoing efforts to streamline operations, officials trained on ECINET were reminded to update their contact information on the portal to avoid disruptions. Furthermore, any requests made through the “Book a Call with BLO” service must be addressed within 48 hours to ensure voter engagement. The CEO reiterated that complaints regarding BLO attendance during special campaign days would not be tolerated, reinforcing the commitment to maintaining electoral integrity in the state.
