Samajwadi Party workers staged a significant protest outside the District Magistrate's office in Ghaziabad on Monday, leveling serious allegations of electoral manipulation. The protestors claimed that individuals posing as Booth Level Officers were coercing villagers into filling Form 7 applications, which are specifically designed for targeted deletion of names from electoral rolls.
Understanding Form 7 and Its Electoral Significance
Form 7 serves a crucial function in India's electoral process. This document is officially filed to raise objections against existing names in voter lists or to oppose new registrations made through Form 6. The proper use of this form requires following established procedures and verification protocols to maintain electoral integrity.
Detailed Allegations of Systematic Voter List Tampering
Faisal Hussain, the Samajwadi Party's district unit president, presented specific allegations during the protest. He claimed that BJP office-bearers and workers were orchestrating a district-wide conspiracy to systematically remove SP supporters from electoral rolls. According to Hussain, this operation involved submitting large numbers of pre-filled Form 7 applications containing voter names and EPIC numbers without proper verification.
"Pressure is being exerted on BLOs and electoral registration officers to process these applications without following due procedure," Hussain asserted during the demonstration. The party has submitted a formal memorandum to the District Magistrate detailing these allegations.
Specific Incidents Cited in the Complaint
The Samajwadi Party's memorandum highlighted several concerning incidents across Ghaziabad district:
- At booth numbers 63, 64, and 66 in the Sadar assembly segment, Form 7 applications were reportedly being submitted for voters whose names had already been included in draft electoral rolls following proper enumeration procedures.
- In Nahal, located within the Dhaulana constituency, three individuals claiming association with BLOs were allegedly caught attempting to get residents to sign Form 7 documents under the false pretext of conducting a voter awareness campaign.
Official Response and Investigation Commitment
District Magistrate Ravindra Mander responded to the allegations by assuring that election officials would conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. "All complaints regarding electoral processes are taken seriously," Mander stated, emphasizing the administration's commitment to maintaining transparent and fair electoral procedures.
The protest highlights growing concerns about electoral integrity in the region, particularly regarding potential manipulation of voter lists ahead of upcoming elections. Such allegations, if proven true, could significantly impact democratic representation and voter confidence in the electoral system.
Electoral roll manipulation represents a serious threat to democratic processes, as accurate voter lists form the foundation of free and fair elections. The Ghaziabad incident underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring of electoral procedures and strict adherence to established protocols by all political stakeholders.
