2 hrs ago
Congress Seeks Probe Into Alleged Bulk Form-7 Voter Deletions
A BJP booth-level agent allegedly submitted 30 Form-7 applications about voters in one family in Musheerabad.
The forms sought to begin the process of deleting those voter entries.
One person named was Shafiuddin, a Congress booth-level agent.
Congress says the forms were prepared and printed in advance instead of completed separately.
It wants experts to compare their handwriting, signatures, dates, and other details.
The Election Commission says Form-7 applicants must provide details and proof for objections.
It also warns that knowingly false declarations can be punished under election law.
Congress has asked the Telangana chief electoral officer to preserve the originals and investigate whether similar forms were used elsewhere.
Bharatiya Janata Party booth-level agent S. Balachander allegedly submitted 30 Form-7 applications concerning voters from one family in Musheerabad.
The applications reportedly included Congress booth-level agent Shafiuddin and were prepared in advance rather than completed individually.
The Indian National Congress demanded forensic examination of the forms’ printing, formatting, handwriting, signatures, dates, and other details.
The Election Commission’s guidelines require Form-7 applicants to provide relevant particulars and proof supporting an objection or deletion request.
The Congress asked Telangana’s chief electoral officer to preserve the original forms and investigate similar submissions across the state.
- Who
- Bharatiya Janata Party booth-level agent S. Balachander is alleged to have submitted the forms; the Indian National Congress filed the complaint.
- What
- Thirty Form-7 applications were reportedly submitted to seek deletion of voter entries belonging to a family.
- Where
- Musheerabad Assembly constituency in Telangana.
- When
- The complaint was lodged on Thursday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- Congress says the pre-printed applications raise questions about their source, preparation, applicant consent, and possible wider misuse.
Congress Allegations
Election Procedure
Validity of the applications
Congress Allegations
Congress says the pre-printed forms and their common features warrant forensic examination and investigation into whether they came from a common source.
Election Procedure
Election Commission guidelines state that applicants must provide relevant particulars and substantiate the reason for seeking an objection or deletion.
Scope of the investigation
Congress Allegations
Congress wants the inquiry expanded across Musheerabad and Telangana to identify similar applications involving Congress workers, their families, and other genuine voters.
Election Procedure
The article does not report a response from the Bharatiya Janata Party or a finding by election authorities on whether wider misuse occurred.
Key facts
- Applications reported
- 30 Form-7 applications
- Reported location
- Musheerabad Assembly constituency, Telangana
- Named BJP agent
- S. Balachander, reportedly registered as Balu among BJP booth-level agents
- Polling station
- Polling station number 210
- Form purpose
- Objecting to a voter’s inclusion or seeking deletion of an existing voter entry
- Congress demand
- Preservation of original forms and a forensic, impartial investigation
- Legal warning
- Knowingly making a false statement or declaration is punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
Quotes
P. Rajesh Kumar
Chairman of the Congress Election Commission Coordination Committee
“The ECI guidelines specifically state that the applicant must provide the relevant particulars and that the onus of proof to substantiate the reason given for objection or removal lies with the applicant. The declaration in Form-7 also specifically warns that knowingly making a false statement or declaration is punishable under section 31 of the Representation of the People Act.1950,”
deccanchronicle.com
“The circumstances raise serious questions regarding the source from which these forms were obtained. Who prepared them? Who supplied the information they contain? Were the applications submitted with the knowledge and consent of the persons shown as applicants?”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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