Controversy over Uttarakhand SIR process: Congress raises questions regarding objections to the removal of names from the voter list.
Dehradun. A controversy has erupted regarding the revision of electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Uttarakhand. The state’s main opposition party, the Congress, has raised questions about objections being filed to remove names from the voter lists using Form-07. The party alleges that fraudulent objections are being lodged to strike off the names of valid voters by using mobile numbers from other states—such as Delhi, Bareilly, and Ghaziabad.
In light of this issue, the Congress has demanded an impartial inquiry by the State Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer, urging that the names of eligible voters not be removed from the electoral rolls.
What is Form-07, and why has the controversy arisen?
Under the Representation of the People Act and election rules, Form-07 is used to object to the inclusion of a person’s name in the electoral roll or to seek its removal. According to the rules, an objection can be raised using Form-07 if a voter has died, permanently relocated elsewhere, or is a fake voter.
However, the Uttarakhand Congress claims that this constitutional process is being misused. The party states that applications to remove the names of local residents are coming from individuals who have no connection whatsoever to Uttarakhand.
Objections being filed using numbers from Delhi, Bareilly, and Ghaziabad
Congress leaders allege that when the details and contact information of the objectors filing Form-07 across various assembly constituencies in the state were verified, shocking facts came to light.
Numbers from other states: The mobile numbers linked to the objections raised against local voters belong to distant cities such as Delhi, and Bareilly and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Suspicious objectors: When local Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and party workers attempted to contact these numbers, they were either found to be switched off, or the individuals associated with them were not even voters in the respective assembly constituencies. Mass-scale fraudulent applications: The Congress claims this is part of a deliberate strategy to remove the names of legitimate voters belonging to a specific section and region from the electoral roll.
Congress’s Allegation: “An attack on democracy and fair elections.”
Senior leaders of the State Congress Committee have termed this matter extremely serious. Party spokespersons and office-bearers suggest this could be a case of “digital tampering” or an organized effort to undermine the spirit of fair elections.
Congress’s Demands:
- Demand for verification: No action should be taken on any Form-07 unless the objector appears in person and presents their identity card and proof of residence in Uttarakhand.
- Strict action: Criminal cases (FIRs) should be registered against those who fraudulently submit Form-07 using fake identities and mobile numbers from outside the state.
- Clear instructions to BLOs: Booth Level Officers (BLOs) must be strictly instructed not to remove any local citizen’s name from the electoral roll without conducting on-the-ground verification.
Stance of the Election Commission and Administration
Regarding this controversy, state election officials state that the electoral roll revision process is being conducted in a completely transparent manner and in accordance with the rules.
According to administrative sources, every Form-07 received undergoes mandatory door-to-door (physical) verification by the BLO. A legitimate voter’s name cannot be deleted solely based on an online or paper-based objection. If any complaint or fraudulent application is detected, it will be rejected as per the rules, and legal action may be taken against the person who provided false information.
Political Temperature Rises in the State
With local body and upcoming elections on the horizon in Uttarakhand, the accuracy of every single name on the electoral roll is a highly sensitive issue for political parties. Political tensions in the state have escalated after the Congress raised questions regarding objections filed using phone numbers from Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Bareilly. It remains to be seen what new guidelines the Election Commission issues regarding physical verification in this entire matter.