Special voter enrolment camps held across Chennai on Saturday were marked by frustration and confusion as newly relocated residents faced significant hurdles in submitting their applications. The process, intended to be smooth, descended into chaos with many citizens shuttling between multiple polling stations unable to find the correct one.
Widespread Confusion at Camps
The camps were organized at 4,079 polling stations spanning 16 Assembly constituencies in the city. Their primary goal was to facilitate the inclusion, deletion, and correction of names in the electoral roll. However, a majority of applicants arrived because their names had been deleted from the recently released draft electoral roll. When they attempted to reapply, they were instructed to submit Form 6 for fresh voter registration.
The core of the problem lay in jurisdictional confusion. Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) frequently directed applicants to different locations based on address, leading to endless back-and-forth journeys. J Pushpalatha, a resident of Barracks Road in Perambur, shared her exhausting experience. "We shifted six months ago, and since we were not available at our previous address, the BLO did not issue the form. So, our names were deleted," she explained. "We were redirected from a nearby corporation school as our street did not fall under its jurisdiction. We could submit the form only at the fifth school we were sent to. Even the BLOs were unsure of the polling booths."
Applicants Return Home Empty-Handed
Not everyone was as persistent as Pushpalatha. Numerous applicants gave up after being sent from one polling station to another. N Kathir, a resident of Arthoon Road in Royapuram, highlighted systemic issues. "Some BLOs are lethargic and do not respond properly to queries. There is no guidance on how to fill the form or clarity on the required documents," he said. "During a camp last week, we visited four schools but could not get Form 6. We finally returned home."
Officials also pointed out another critical issue. Voters whose names were already on the draft roll were required to submit documents for verification to update their details. Despite prior notifications, many have not submitted the required documents. An official warned that the names of those who fail to comply are likely to be removed from the final roll.
Official Response and Duplicate Entries
A senior Greater Chennai Corporation official addressed the situation, stating that BLOs have been assisting the public in identifying their correct polling stations. The official also acknowledged a separate problem: "In some cases, applications were submitted more than once at new addresses. After verification, such duplicate entries will be deleted from the next draft electoral roll."
The day's events underscore significant gaps in the execution of the electoral roll revision process, causing inconvenience to citizens eager to secure their voting rights. The confusion raises questions about the preparedness and clarity of information provided at the ground level during such crucial democratic exercises.
