Ranchi: State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar on Saturday moved to allay fears regarding the deletion of names from the voter list, assuring the public that constitutional safeguards would guarantee that no eligible voter is removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The clarification came in response to growing anxiety in several areas following claims that voter names could be struck off once the SIR commences.
Sources indicated that some residents of Ranchi recently visited the CEO's office, where officials provided assurances that no eligible voter's name would be deleted. Citing Article 326 of the Constitution, Kumar emphasized that every Indian citizen aged 18 years or above who is ordinarily resident in a polling area is entitled to be enrolled as a voter. He urged eligible voters not to panic over rumors, stressing that constitutional protections are in place to safeguard genuine voters.
Misinformation and False Claims
Election officials reported that false claims were fueling unnecessary fear, including rumors that voters could be arbitrarily removed from the rolls or branded as foreigners. References to a “Bangladesh family” and talk of people being “sent to Bangladesh” have surfaced, highlighting the scale of misinformation circulating in the region. The CEO clarified that non-citizens cannot remain on the voter rolls, but eligible Indian citizens have nothing to fear.
“Our concern is about the citizens of India and not the ones who are not. They need not fill up the enumeration forms at all,” Kumar stated. He reiterated that the SIR is a routine exercise aimed at updating the electoral rolls, and eligible voters should cooperate without any apprehension.
Constitutional Protections
The CEO’s remarks underscore the legal framework that prevents arbitrary deletion of voter names. Article 326 of the Indian Constitution provides the basis for adult suffrage, ensuring that every citizen meeting the age and residency criteria is entitled to vote. Officials have been directed to handle the revision process with transparency and to address any grievances promptly.
Kumar advised citizens to verify any information about voter list changes through official channels and to report any suspicious claims to election authorities. The SIR is scheduled to be conducted in a phased manner, with field staff visiting households to collect and verify data. Eligible voters are encouraged to ensure their names are included and to provide accurate information during the enumeration.
