Explore the Karnataka Aland Constituency voter deletion scam, including electoral roll deletions in India, legal provisions, the deletion process, and system loopholes that could be misused.
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NEW DELHI: The recent allegations by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding attempts to delete 6,018 voters’ names in Karnataka’s Aland constituency in 2023 have sparked a larger debate on the transparency and security of India’s electoral roll management. According to Gandhi, the Karnataka CID wrote 18 letters to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking details, but the ECI has allegedly not provided adequate information.
This controversy raises critical questions: What are the legal provisions for deleting names from electoral rolls? How is the process regulated? And are there gaps in the system that can be misused?
Legal Provisions for Deletions from Electoral Rolls
Under Section 22 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1950, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are empowered to:
- Correct entries in the electoral roll.
- Delete names based on specific grounds.
- Act on applications made for deletion.
An ERO may delete an entry if the person:
- Has died.
- Is no longer ordinarily resident in the constituency.
- Has been found ineligible (not a citizen of India or under 18 years of age).
Importantly, before any deletion, the ERO must conduct an inquiry, issue a notice, give the elector time to respond, and then pass a formal order.
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How Electors Can Apply for Deletion
The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, prescribe forms for additions, corrections, and deletions.
- Form 7 is specifically for raising objections to inclusion or requesting the deletion of a name.
- Voters can download Form 7 from the ECI Voter Portal, submit it to the Booth Level Officer (BLO), or file it online.
- The ECINet app also allows online submission.
Form 7 can be filed for:
- One’s own name.
- Objection against another elector’s name.
Filing Form 7 Online
To submit Form 7 online:
- Create an account on the Voters’ Portal or ECINet app.
- Link phone number with the Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number.
- Enter details:
- Applicant’s name, EPIC number, phone number.
- Name, EPIC number, and address of the person challenged.
- Choose one of five reasons: death, underage, absent/permanently shifted, already enrolled, not an Indian citizen.
While the form does not require evidence, applicants must sign a declaration, making them legally accountable for false claims.
Processing of Deletion Requests
- Since 2018, forms have been processed via ERONet (Election Roll Management Network).
- In 2023, the ECI integrated its apps into ECINet, streamlining voter services.
- Applications go to the ERO/Assistant ERO for that constituency.
- ERO must:
- Issue a notice to the concerned elector.
- Provide 7 days to respond.
- Conduct a hearing and pass an order.
- Ensure BLO conducts field verification.
Thus, deletion is not automatic; it requires inquiry and due process.
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Loopholes in the Online System
Despite safeguards, loopholes exist:
- No proof required at filing stage: Anyone can file a Form 7 online without documentary evidence.
- Weak EPIC–phone linking: A person can potentially link someone else’s EPIC with their own phone number.
- Mass misuse possible: In Karnataka’s Aland case, Form 7s were allegedly filed without voters’ knowledge.
Although ECI officials claim the fraudulent deletions were caught at the inquiry stage, such incidents expose vulnerabilities in the system.
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