52 mins ago
Jharkhand Authorities Probe Voter Deletion Forms After Express Report
Election officials in Jharkhand are checking forms that asked for some voters’ names to be removed from the voter list.
The forms concerned 25 people at one polling booth in Maheshtikri village.
Officials said nearly all of those people live in the village.
The forms were submitted by a BJP booth-level agent.
Some government election workers had questioned whether the forms were genuine or properly completed.
Voters said they were worried about losing their right to vote and access to government schemes.
Officials have sent an officer to investigate the complaints.
They also said such forms must be accepted and handled according to election rules.
Godda election authorities ordered an inquiry into 25 Form 7 applications filed against voters at Booth No. 9 in Maheshtikri.
Officials said 24 of the 25 voters were present village residents, while the remaining person was temporarily away for work.
The applications were filed by BJP Booth Level Agent Sanjeev Kumar Roshan, according to the report.
BLOs at several booths had flagged some applications as allegedly not genuine or procedurally unsound; one BLA reportedly burned 75 forms.
Authorities clarified that Form 7 applications should be accepted and processed under the prescribed procedure, with doubts referred to election officials.
- Who
- Godda district election authorities, local election officials, BJP Booth Level Agents, and affected voters.
- What
- An inquiry was ordered into Form 7 applications seeking deletion of voters’ names from the electoral roll.
- Where
- Booth No. 9 in Maheshtikri village, Basantrai block, Godda district, Jharkhand.
- When
- The inquiry was reported on Wednesday, with an initial report expected by Thursday.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating complaints that some deletion applications were not genuine or procedurally sound.
Election Officials and Affected Voters
Applicants and Their Procedural Position
Validity of deletion forms
Election Officials and Affected Voters
BLOs and voters questioned some applications, and officials are investigating whether the forms were genuine and properly supported.
Applicants and Their Procedural Position
The forms were submitted by BJP Booth Level Agents seeking deletion of names; authorities said applications should be accepted and processed under the prescribed procedure rather than refused outright.
Risk to voters
Election Officials and Affected Voters
Voters interviewed by The Indian Express feared losing their voting rights or access to government schemes.
Applicants and Their Procedural Position
The article does not report a public explanation from the applicants addressing those specific fears; the administration is awaiting its inquiry report before making further assessments.
Handling of disputed applications
Election Officials and Affected Voters
BLOs at multiple booths had refused some forms because they considered them questionable or procedurally unsound.
Applicants and Their Procedural Position
The block administration later clarified that BLOs with doubts should consult election officials, while applicants could also have approached the authorities directly.
Key facts
- Location
- Booth No. 9, Maheshtikri village, Basantrai block, Godda district
- Forms under inquiry
- 25 Form 7 applications
- Voter verification
- Officials said 24 of the 25 voters were present village residents; the 25th was temporarily away for work
- Applicant
- BJP Booth Level Agent Sanjeev Kumar Roshan
- Additional forms
- A BLA at a neighbouring booth reportedly brought 75 forms and then burned them
- Inquiry authority
- A Block Panchayati Raj Officer was sent to conduct a field inquiry
- Procedure clarification
- Form 7 applications should be accepted and processed according to the prescribed procedure
Quotes
Sriman Marandi
Block Development Officer and Electoral Registration Officer of Basantrai block
“What we have received from Booth Level Agents (BLAs) is regarding Booth No. 9. The voters’ complaints are also regarding Booth No. 9. People have spoken about two-three other places, but we have not received anything in writing regarding those, which is why the inquiry is specifically for this booth.”
indianexpress.com
“The BLAs could also have approached us (with deletion applications)”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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