The Congress party has raised alarms with the Election Commission over suspicious bulk Form 7 applications in Uttarakhand. In one shocking instance, a single individual in Kichha submitted over 6,400 objections to remove voters.
- Congress has submitted a memorandum to the ECI alleging mass deletion attempts via unverified bulk applications.
- In Kichha constituency, one individual, Rajesh Tiwari, filed approximately 6,410 objections.
- 262 individuals have reportedly filed more than 10 Form 7 applications each.
- The party alleges 'institutional access' is being provided to certain organizations for online submissions.
NEW DELHI/DEHRADUN: The Indian National Congress has leveled serious allegations against the electoral machinery in Uttarakhand, claiming that unverified bulk applications are being processed to delete voters' names during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
A high-level Congress delegation met with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Delhi and subsequently met Uttarakhand’s Chief Electoral Officer, B.V.R.C. Purushottam, in Dehradun. The party contends that the 'Form 7' process—intended for reporting deaths, migrations, or ineligibility—is being weaponized to manipulate the electoral rolls.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the integrity of the voter list is the bedrock of any democracy. If mass deletions occur without individual verification and proper notice, it could lead to widespread disenfranchisement and skewed electoral outcomes in key constituencies.
The systematic misuse of administrative forms to target specific demographics poses a direct threat to the sanctity of the democratic voting process.
The scale of these submissions is unprecedented. According to data analyzed by Congress, in the Kichha Assembly constituency of Udham Singh Nagar, a single person named Rajesh Tiwari submitted roughly 6,410 objections. Furthermore, 262 individuals have filed more than ten Form 7s each, suggesting a coordinated effort rather than isolated incidents.
Congress MLA Qazi Muhammed Nizamuddin alleged that the sheer volume of online submissions points toward 'institutional access' being granted to certain organized groups. This mirrors previous controversies in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Assam, where voters claimed they never authorized the deletion requests filed in their names.
| Feature | Standard Procedure | Alleged Malpractice |
|---|---|---|
| Form 7 Filing | Individual/Agent (Max 10/day) | Thousands per individual |
| Verification | Mandatory inquiry & notice | Alleged bypass of dual-notice |
| Access | Public/Booth Agents | Suspected 'Institutional Access' |
Historical Background
Electoral roll revisions are a cornerstone of the Indian election cycle. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a more rigorous version of the annual update, often involving cross-referencing with older rolls (such as those from 2003) to ensure accuracy. However, as processes move online, the vulnerability to large-scale digital manipulation has become a growing concern for political parties and observers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Form 7?
Form 7 is an official document used to object to a name on the electoral roll or request its deletion due to death, relocation, or ineligibility.
2. What is the ECI's safeguard?
ECI sources state that if an individual files more than five objections, it triggers a mandatory review by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).
