Godda, Sept 2: Election authorities have ordered an inquiry after multiple applications seeking the deletion of voters’ names from electoral rolls were reportedly submitted in bulk at several polling booths in Jharkhand’s Godda district during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The applications were submitted using Form-7, which is used for raising objections to entries in electoral rolls and seeking deletion of names in cases where a voter is found to be ineligible or no longer entitled to remain registered.
The issue surfaced at several booths in the Basantrai area, where Booth Level Officers (BLOs) reportedly questioned bulk submissions after preliminary checks indicated that several voters named in the applications continued to reside in their respective localities.
At Booth Number 9 in Maheshtikri, a booth-level agent, Sanjeev Kumar, said he had received 25 pre-filled Form-7 applications and was asked to submit them to the concerned BLO. The applications reportedly sought deletion of voters’ names under categories including “missing” and “shifted”.
The BLO concerned, however, questioned the applications, stating that the voters whose names appeared in the forms had been residing in the area for a long period. The forms were reportedly returned following the disagreement.
In another instance, the BLO at Booth Number 48 in Pachua Kitta said a booth-level agent approached him with around 15 Form-7 applications and sought acknowledgement of their submission. According to the BLO, the agent said he had received the forms from a political party and was not fully aware of their implications.
Local election officials have initiated an inquiry into the incidents.Basantrai Block Development Officer and Electoral Registration Officer Sriman Marandi said objections could be submitted under the electoral process but emphasised that the names of genuine voters could not be deleted without proper verification.
According to preliminary findings in one of the cases, 24 of the 25 voters named in the applications were found to have been residing in the area. Another voter was reportedly away from the village temporarily for employment.
Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar said a report had been sought from the district election authorities. He clarified that authorised booth-level agents could submit applications collectively, but the required procedures, including submission of a declaration confirming the accuracy of the information, must be followed.
The matter has also triggered political allegations, with questions being raised over the identity of the party representatives involved and the purpose behind the bulk deletion requests. These allegations are subject to the ongoing official inquiry.
The controversy comes as Jharkhand undertakes a Special Intensive Revision of its electoral rolls. The Election Commission has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections until September 15, while the final publication of the revised electoral roll is scheduled for October 19.
Election officials have maintained that objections and deletion requests will be examined individually and that eligible voters will not be removed from the electoral rolls without due verification and legal procedure.
