Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday overtly addressed the allegations pertaining to manipulation of electoral rolls, addition, and deletion of names. “There have been sure sorts of considerations that had been raised (by political events). It was mentioned that wrongful addition and deletion had been made in electoral rolls… It was additionally mentioned that sure teams are focused and their names are deleted. Even after giving a reply about EVM – it was mentioned that EVM could be manipulated,” the CEC mentioned.
CEC Kumar dismissed allegations of manipulation within the electoral roll, saying no deletion can happen with out thorough documentation, area verification, and giving the involved particular person a chance to be heard. Kumar emphasised that the method for additions and deletions is clear, rigorous, and resistant to arbitrary adjustments.
#WATCH | Delhi | Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar says, “…There have been sure sorts of considerations that had been raised (by political events). It was mentioned that wrongful addition and deletion had been made in electoral rolls… It was additionally mentioned that sure teams are focused and their… pic.twitter.com/vslxQMapn0
— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2025
This comes a day after former Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Get together (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal claimed {that a} “Massive-Scale” fraud in voter addition and deletions within the New Delhi Meeting seat is going down. In a publish on X, Kejriwal cited a letter from Chief Minister Atishi despatched to Delhi Chief Electoral Officer. “Massive-scale fraud going down in voter additions and deletions within the New Delhi meeting. Delhi CM Atishi ji writes this letter to CEC presenting proof and looking for time to fulfill,” he mentioned.
Reacting to the electoral roll, CEC Kumar mentioned that there are at the least 70 processes wherein the political events work with the election fee.
Talking at a press convention to announce the schedule for Delhi Meeting polls, the chief election commissioner (CEC) mentioned, “Every time electoral rolls are made, common conferences are held. All political events have the proper to nominate BLAs. Each declare and objection is shared with the political events…”
“No deletion can happen with out Type 7. Even within the case of loss of life, the loss of life certificates is saved in our data. And even after this, if any deletion has to happen, a discover is shipped to the voter, and time is given for claims and objections,” he added.
“Each step of the electoral roll course of is rooted in transparency and accountability. Deletion of names will not be doable with out adhering to strict protocols, and each get together has the proper to boost objections at numerous phases.” On deletions, Kumar clarified that they’re processed solely by way of Type 7 or Type B, following strict pointers.
“Necessary area verification is performed by the BLOs, and in instances the place deletions exceed 2 % of a polling station’s voter record, cross-verification is finished. Deletions resulting from loss of life require an authorized loss of life certificates, and a seven-day window is supplied for objections after notices are revealed on-line. Additionally, the affected voters are given the chance for a private listening to earlier than their names are eliminated,” he mentioned.
“No deletion can happen with out thorough documentation, area verification, and giving the involved particular person a chance to be heard,” Kumar reiterated. The CEC additionally identified that claims and objections aren’t solely reviewed but in addition shared with all of the political events and made accessible on-line to make sure transparency.
Criticizing the tendency to query the integrity of the electoral course of solely throughout elections, the CEC argued that allegations of mass deletions are deceptive with out proof and undermine public belief within the system. “The place each vote issues, elevating doubts concerning the deletion of 1000’s of names with out proof is deceptive. The processes we observe go away no room for manipulation,” he acknowledged.
The CEC’s feedback got here within the backdrop of current allegations made by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, who claimed the voter record within the New Delhi Meeting constituency had been tampered with to affect the upcoming elections. Atishi additionally referred to as for a right away inquiry into the matter, alleging large-scale deletions to control the electoral consequence.
The Meeting elections in Delhi are set to be held in a single part on February 5 and counting of votes will happen on February 8. Within the 2020 Delhi elections, AAP gained 62 out of the 70 seats within the 2020 meeting elections and BJP secured eight seats.
