UP Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa Defends Statutory Use of Form 7 Against SP Allegations

Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa has dismissed allegations from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav regarding irregularities in the use of Form 7 for deleting names from electoral rolls, emphasising its legal basis under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa addressed allegations from SP chief Akhilesh Yadav about irregularities in the electoral roll revision process. Rinwa clarified that using Form 7 for name deletions is a legal requirement under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. He emphasised that this process is not merely administrative but legally mandated.

Rinwa explained that during each Special Summary Revision, a draft electoral roll is published. Political parties and the public can review it, and if any eligible voter's name is missing, Form 6 can be submitted for inclusion. Objections to entries can be filed through Form 7 for deletion. This ensures transparency and accuracy in the electoral rolls.

Electoral Roll Revision Process

The draft roll for the current revision was made public on January 6. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) prepare this draft, and errors may occur at this stage. The publication allows for corrections through legally prescribed forms. Rinwa stated that this process enables rectification of any mistakes or omissions.

Addressing claims by the Samajwadi Party about unknown individuals filing Form 7 applications to target voters from backward, Dalit, and minority communities, Rinwa assured transparency. Daily bulletins are issued detailing Forms 6 and 7 submissions by booth-level agents of political parties. Lists of such applications are displayed at every booth and assembly constituency level and uploaded on district election officers' websites.

Transparency in Voter List Management

Rinwa clarified that any registered elector in the concerned assembly constituency can file Form 7. The applicant must provide their name, EPIC number, details of the person against whom the objection is raised, grounds for objection, and signature. No name is deleted without due process, which includes issuing notices to both the objector and the elector whose name is contested.

An inquiry is conducted by the election officer before making a decision, allowing both parties to present evidence. Rinwa rejected SP's demand that only BLOs should handle corrections, stating that Forms 6 and 7 provide a logical mechanism to rectify errors.

Addressing Allegations of Wrongful Deletions

The CEO dismissed allegations of wrongful deletions in various constituencies as baseless. He specifically refuted claims about the deletion of an SP MLA's wife's vote in Ballia district's Sikandarpur Assembly segment. Her name remains on the list, along with those of other voters.

Rinwa mentioned that five meetings have been held with political parties regarding the revision exercise. These meetings ensure regular updates and information sharing when memoranda are submitted. This engagement aims to maintain transparency and address concerns effectively.

The electoral roll revision process in Uttar Pradesh follows a legal framework designed to ensure accuracy and fairness. Despite allegations from political parties, officials maintain that all procedures are transparent and compliant with statutory requirements.

With inputs from PTI