The Aam Aadmi Party has accused the Election Commission of systematically removing migrant voters from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during Delhi's voter list revision process.
- AAP claims the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is disproportionately targeting migrant workers.
- Nearly 47 lakh voters face potential disenfranchisement due to missing forms or ASDD marking.
- The party alleges negligence by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in unauthorized colonies.
New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a scathing attack on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi, alleging a "mass exclusion" of migrant voters hailing from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The party warns that unless the Election Commission (EC) immediately intervenes and reviews the process, lakhs of citizens will be stripped of their fundamental right to vote.
During a press conference, AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha asserted that the majority of voters removed under the SIR process fall into the categories of migrants from neighboring states. He claimed that these voters are being unfairly marked under the 'absent' and 'shifted' categories, effectively erasing them from the democratic process.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the demographic composition of Delhi is heavily reliant on internal migration. The systematic removal of these voters could significantly alter the political landscape and deprive a massive segment of the urban workforce of their political agency and representation.
The current SIR process appears to be geared towards exclusion rather than inclusion, undermining democratic integrity.
Jha highlighted specific challenges in unauthorized colonies and JJ clusters, where identification processes are often complex. He accused Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of failing to perform their duties accurately and suggested that the removal of names might be an intentional effort by election officials to manipulate the rolls.
Historical Background
Electoral roll revisions are standard procedures to ensure accuracy, removing the deceased and those who have moved. However, the 'Special Intensive Revision' is a more rigorous exercise. Historically, such drives in densely populated urban centers often face criticism when the 'Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate' (ASDD) classification is applied broadly without sufficient grassroots verification.
The current drive, which ran from June 30 to August 17, has left approximately 47 lakh out of Delhi's 1.45 crore voters in a precarious position. These individuals either failed to submit enumeration forms or were classified under the ASDD category.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Registered Voters | 1.45 Crore |
| Voters at Risk of Exclusion | ~47 Lakh |
| Primary Target Groups | Migrants from UP & Bihar |
| Correction Window | Aug 24 to Sept 23 (Form 6) |
To rectify these errors, eligible voters can file Form 6 during the upcoming claims and objections period, which is scheduled to run from August 24 to September 23.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the ASDD category in voter rolls?
ASDD stands for Absent, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate, used to identify voters who may no longer be eligible at a specific address.
2. How can a voter whose name was removed re-register?
Voters can submit Form 6 during the claims and objections period between August 24 and September 23.
