Assam's Electoral Roll Revision Ignites Political Firestorm Over Form-7 Implementation
The ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Assam has escalated into a significant political confrontation, with opposition parties raising serious allegations about the potential harassment of genuine citizens through what they term the "misuse of Form-7." This legal provision enables electors to object to another voter's inclusion or request deletion of names due to death or change of residence, but its application has become the center of intense debate.
Government Clarification and Legal Safeguards
The state election department has issued a comprehensive public advisory to address growing concerns, emphasizing that filing Form-7 does not automatically result in name deletion. Each objection undergoes a rigorous legal process that includes thorough field verification and formal notice to the concerned elector, who is granted a full opportunity to present their case before any final decision is made.
"No name can be deleted from the electoral roll without following the prescribed legal procedure," the advisory explicitly stated. "Electors are advised not to be apprehensive and to cooperate with verification officials when contacted." The department further reassured that any elector facing potential deletion would be properly informed and allowed to defend their inclusion.
Chief Minister's Controversial Defense
Returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma offered a robust and polarizing defense of the revision process. He asserted that notices are being served exclusively to "miya"—a term referring to Bangladesh-origin Muslim migrants—while indigenous communities remain unaffected.
"There is no debate over SR. Which Hindu family has received a notice? Which Assamese Muslim household has seen a notice?" Sarma questioned rhetorically. "We have to issue notices to miyas living here. There is nothing to hide. I am troubling them."
The Chief Minister framed these actions as part of a broader strategy to maintain pressure on alleged illegal immigrants. "They have to understand that at some level, people of Assam are resisting them. Otherwise, they will get a walkover," he explained, adding that notices during SR would be complemented by other measures including eviction proceedings and border police actions related to citizenship verification.
"We will do some 'utpaat' (disturbance), but within the ambit of law... we are with the poor and downtrodden, but not those who want to destroy our 'jati' (community)," Sarma concluded, further intensifying the political rhetoric surrounding the electoral exercise.
Opposition's United Front and Allegations
Opposition parties presented a united front on Friday, urgently appealing to the Election Commission to ensure that no eligible voter faces wrongful removal during the revision process. They specifically highlighted concerns about the "misuse of Form-7" and requested an extension beyond the February 2 deadline for disposing of claims and objections.
In a strongly worded joint statement, Left parties including the CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML), Forward Bloc, and SUCI(C) accused the authorities of using Form-7 to systematically target minority voters. Meanwhile, the Congress party escalated matters by filing a formal police complaint in Boko-Chhaygaon against local BJP leaders and officials, alleging unauthorized deletions and inclusions in electoral lists.
Legal Framework and Voter Reassurance
The election department's advisory provided detailed guidance about the legal framework governing the revision process. It emphasized that false declarations or knowingly retaining incorrect entries constitute punishable offences under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. Electors were urged to provide accurate information while submitting applications under Forms 6, 7, and 8.
Reassuring genuine voters, the department clarified that the revision exercise aims to create a clean, accurate, and inclusive electoral roll, and that no elector should feel apprehensive. The advisory also noted that any person aggrieved by inclusion, exclusion, or correction of entries could avail themselves of statutory remedies under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Timeline and Process Details
The electoral roll revision follows a structured timeline:
- The draft roll was initially published on December 12 of the previous year
- All objections and applications will be disposed of by February 2
- The final electoral rolls will be officially published on February 10
This meticulous process underscores the election department's commitment to maintaining electoral integrity while navigating the complex political landscape of Assam, where demographic concerns and citizenship issues have long been sensitive matters requiring careful handling within established legal parameters.
