In view of these irregularities, the election authorities have started the process of issuing formal notices to the affected voters. All persons receiving the notice will have to produce valid documentary proof to confirm their voter identity.
This campaign is being run with the aim of making the voter list of Maharashtra more accurate, updated and transparent. Officials say that the records of the concerned voters will be finalized only after verification of the documents.
Under these instructions, objections from people living outside the assembly constituency from which the name is being removed have been barred. Authorities have issued formal notices to all affected people, asking them to submit necessary documentary evidence to prove their status.
Before the start of the SIR campaign, the number of registered voters in Maharashtra was 9,78,54,049. After field verification of the counting forms, the Election Commission released the draft voter list on August 31, which included 7,71,65,562 voters. Which is 78.86 percent of the total number. In this, men 3,95,89,905; Female 3,75,72,570; Transgender voters are 3,087 and the total included voters are 7,71,65,562.
About 2,06,88,487 voters (21.14 percent of the previous list) were removed from the draft list. The main reasons for deletion of names include removal of about 34 lakh dead voters and 17 lakh duplicate entries spread across multiple assembly constituencies.
Of the 7.71 crore voters included in the draft list, technical deficiencies were found in the counting records of 1,22,24,000 people. These include discrepancies in information related to relatives for 62,48,281 voters and information about relatives not being mapped for 59,75,626 voters.
More than 1,00,000 data anomalies were found in every assembly constituency in major areas like Malad, Dharavi, Panvel, Ovala-Majiwada, Kalyan Rural, Khadakwasla, Chinchwad, Hadapsar, Solapur South, Nagpur East, Nagpur West, Nagpur North, Hingna and Badnera.
Election Commission sources have confirmed that notices have been sent to these people and their voter status will be confirmed only after verification of additional evidence. Taking serious note of the concerns of political parties regarding large-scale objections aimed at deletion of names of voters from certain communities, the election administration has put in place strict procedural safeguards.
Following reports from Jharkhand, where party representatives had submitted large-scale systematic applications for deletion of certain names, the state CEO has directed the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner and all district collectors to exercise utmost care while processing claims and objections. Basic residential verification of the voters included in the draft list has already been done and they have been considered eligible.
Although Form-7 is available to challenge an entry or request its deletion, objections will be accepted only from registered voters residing in the same assembly constituency. Any person objecting must accompany the application with valid proof of the disqualification of the voter who is challenged.
Sources said that before any final decision is taken, the voter who has been challenged should be given a formal opportunity to attend the hearing and present evidence in his favor.