Civil society organizations Adalah and Aseem have urged the Election Commission to provide a 15-day grace period for voters marked as 'uncollectible' or ASDD before publishing the Draft Electoral Roll.
- Activists seek a 15-day buffer period to rectify errors in the Draft Electoral Roll.
- Over 73 lakh electors have been categorized as 'uncollectible' during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
- Civil society demands an online remedy system and strict adherence to deletion protocols.
In a significant move to protect democratic franchise, civil society organizations Adalah and Aseem have formally petitioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Telangana Chief Electoral Officer. The organizations are calling for a mandatory 15-day 'buffer period' to allow electors categorized as ASDD (Absent, Shifted, Dead, or Duplicate) and 'uncollectible' to seek remedies before the official publication of the Draft Electoral Roll.
The demand comes in the wake of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration phase, which concluded on August 10. Reports indicate a staggering number of deletions, with over 73 lakh voters described as 'uncollectible.' Activists argue that the inability of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to collect forms is not a legitimate legal ground to assume a voter has permanently moved or passed away.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the mass categorization of voters as 'uncollectible' could lead to systemic disenfranchisement. If millions of legitimate voters are removed without a robust appellate process, it could skew election results and undermine public trust in the electoral process. The reliance on BLOs' physical visits—which can be hindered by temporary absences or tenant migrations—creates a precarious vulnerability in the voter database.
"It is grossly unfair if a person who has voted in previous elections is wrongly deleted from the electoral rolls; asking them to register as a new voter is an unnecessary burden."
The organizations have specifically requested that the authorities reschedule the draft Roll publication, originally slated for August 17, by a fortnight. Furthermore, they have advocated for the introduction of an online option for applicants to verify their status and ensure their names remain on the list, reducing the dependency on physical BLO visits.
A critical point of contention is the use of Form 6. Adalah and Aseem have insisted that Form 6—typically used for new registrations—should not be used as a substitute for the formal deletion, appeal, and restoration procedures applicable to existing electors. They argue that existing voters have a right to have their records restored rather than being forced to re-apply as new citizens.
Historically, electoral roll revisions in India have often faced criticism for 'silent deletions,' where names vanish without proper notice. By demanding the preservation of previous electoral records and a transparent mechanism for restoration, these organizations are attempting to create a legal safeguard against administrative errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does 'uncollectible' mean in the context of the SIR?
It refers to electors whose enumeration forms could not be collected by the Booth Level Officer, often due to the voter being temporarily unavailable or the BLO being unable to locate the residence.
It allows voters who were wrongly marked for deletion to provide proof of residence and identity, ensuring they are not disenfranchised before the final list is published.
