5 hrs ago
Jharkhand Villagers Fear Citizenship After BJP Voter Objections
Election officials in Jharkhand are checking voter lists in a special exercise.
Some BJP representatives asked for people’s names to be removed from the list.
Many of the challenged voters are from a minority community.
The villagers say their families have lived there for generations and have voted before.
They are worried that losing their names could also affect government benefits.
Local election workers say the applications will be checked through investigations.
The BJP and the state’s chief election official say their representatives are allowed to submit objections.
The final decisions have not yet been made.
BJP Booth Level Agents filed at least 25 Form 7 objections in Maheshtikri, mostly against minority-community residents.
Booth Level Officers reported bulk submissions from BJP agents across four booths in Godda district.
Villagers with longstanding local records fear deletion could affect voting rights and access to welfare programmes.
The Chief Electoral Officer said bulk objections are allowed and must be investigated before decisions are made.
Jharkhand’s SIR draft roll excluded about 43 lakh voters, with claims and objections open until September 4.
- Who
- Villagers in Godda, Booth Level Officers, BJP Booth Level Agents, and Jharkhand election officials.
- What
- Form 7 applications have challenged the inclusion of residents in the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision.
- Where
- Maheshtikri and three other booths—Pachua Kita, Lochni, and Baghakol—in Godda district, Jharkhand.
- When
- The revision began June 30; the draft roll was published August 5, and claims and objections are due by September 4.
- Why
- The objections are intended to have voter-list entries reviewed, while villagers fear losing voting rights, welfare access, or recognition as Indian citizens.
Villagers and Local Officials
BJP and Election Officials
Validity of voter objections
Villagers and Local Officials
Villagers question why long-term residents with prior voter-list entries and local records are being challenged. The Block Development Officer said agents could have sent the applications to him instead of filing them directly.
BJP and Election Officials
The BJP and Chief Electoral Officer said Booth Level Agents are within their rights to submit Form 7 objections, including in bulk.
Risk of deletion
Villagers and Local Officials
Residents fear that removal from the electoral roll could mean losing voting rights, government benefits, or recognition as Indian citizens.
BJP and Election Officials
Election officials said applications will be examined through investigation and ground verification before any deletion decision is made.
Handling of submitted forms
Villagers and Local Officials
The Block Development Officer said Booth Level Officers were instructed not to act on the forms immediately because their source was uncertain.
BJP and Election Officials
The Chief Electoral Officer said Booth Level Officers should not have rejected or turned down the requests.
Key facts
- Revision exercise
- Jharkhand’s Special Intensive Revision began on June 30.
- Draft roll date
- The draft electoral roll was published on August 5.
- Reported deletions
- About 43 lakh voters, or 16.48% of all voters, were excluded from the draft list.
- Maheshtikri objections
- A BJP Booth Level Agent filed at least 25 Form 7 applications.
- Affected booths
- Complaints were received from Maheshtikri, Pachua Kita, Lochni, and Baghakol.
- Deadline
- Claims and objections can be filed until September 4.
- Decision process
- Each Form 7 application is to be decided after a probe or ground verification.
Quotes
Abdul Mannan Khan
A 70-year-old Maheshtikri resident and registered voter
“I have been voting here since I turned 18… We have been here so many years. We have the khatian (land proof of being a Jharkhandi), every record and paper. Now there is suddenly an obstacle.”
indianexpress.com
“What if our names are deleted and we do not get government benefits? What if we are not considered Indian citizens?”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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