Software to identify multiple entries to be introduced

Chennai, Mar 1: Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta has said a software, which had been recently devised to identify multiple entries in electoral rolls, would be introduced in the state shortly.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday (Feb 28, 2006), he said the software would identify repeated names and addresses and delete them from rolls.

Stating that field verification of 19 lakh applications received for inclusion in the electoral rolls was still on, he said the final rolls would be published on March seven.

"In many cases, applicants had not furnished the previous address," he said and added that the field verification staff had been instructed to obtain the same to enable them to delete the names of voters in their previous place of registration.

A number of persons might have applied not knowing that they were already registered in the rolls, Mr Gupta said.

On the Electors' Photo Identity Card (EPIC) programme, the CEO said the agencies had been gradually stepping up mobilisation of equipment and manpower, besides overcoming some teething problems.

"The EPIC coverage would gather full momentum in another few days," he added.

UNI