Congress Sounds Alarm Over Assam's Electoral Roll Revision Process
The Assam Congress has raised serious concerns about the special revision of electoral rolls that commenced in the state on Tuesday, questioning the transparency and intentions behind the exercise occurring just three months before assembly elections.
Former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora, speaking after a Congress delegation met with the state chief electoral officer, expressed apprehension about the alleged exclusion of booth-level agents appointed by political parties from the revision process until the publication of the integrated draft roll on December 27.
Exclusion of Booth-Level Agents Sparks Controversy
Bora highlighted that this exclusion during what he termed a "critical period" could potentially lead to the removal of legitimate voters from the electoral lists. He drew parallels to "similar incidents in Bihar" where such processes had previously raised concerns about voter suppression.
"As per Election Commission of India guidelines, booth-level agents should be involved in the process from the very beginning," Bora asserted. "But unfortunately, booth-level officers are not accepting the appointment letters of BLAs issued by political parties. BLAs have been told that these letters will be accepted only on December 27."
Official Response and Counter Claims
A spokesperson from the Assam chief electoral officer's office promptly refuted these allegations, maintaining that booth-level agents can participate in the process from the beginning. The official clarified that any concerns about exclusion should be reported directly to the district election officer and relevant election authorities.
The Congress party's concerns extend beyond potential voter exclusions. Senior Congress leader and Dhubri MP Rakibul Hussain urged heightened vigilance during the special revision process, alleging there might be attempts to include voters from other states specifically for the upcoming assembly elections.
With assembly elections approaching in exactly three months, the timing of this electoral roll revision has become particularly sensitive. The Congress party has emphasized the need for complete transparency to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and prevent any potential manipulation that could affect election outcomes.
