Should the EC take action against those filing forms for mass deletions?, Pg11

Key Highlights:

• A significant surge in Form 7 applications, used for seeking deletion of names from electoral rolls, has been observed in Karnataka during Phase 3 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
• Over 4,000 Form 7 applications were filed in Karnataka, with 1,363 originating from just 10 electors in Babaleshwar, reportedly targeting Muslim names.
• Anomalies were noted in Uttarakhand, where objections were filed in an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)'s name without their knowledge, and in West Bengal, where nearly 90% of Form 7 applications were accepted.
• The Election Commission (EC)'s existing safeguards, including Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA) for false declarations, are rarely enforced, leading to a lack of deterrence against misuse.

Detailed Insights:

• The Registration of Electors Rule 1960 mandates a specific procedure for EROs upon receiving Form 7, including public notice and individual notification to the person concerned.
• An inquiry must be conducted by the ERO if demanded, allowing the complainant to testify under oath, with penalties for false information under Section 31 of the RPA.
• Instructions from the EC limit the number of objections one person can file, typically to five or six, though this is not explicitly in the rules.
• The high acceptance rate of Form 7 in West Bengal (90%) compared to Form 6 (inclusion) rejections (21%) highlights a significant anomaly.
• Instances of automated or centralized filing of objections, sometimes in the name of EROs, suggest potential manipulation of the electoral process.
• There is a need for legal reforms as current electoral laws, framed in the 1950s and 60s, are out of sync with digital databases and online form submissions.
• The EC needs a stronger monitoring mechanism for electoral offenses, potentially including a separate data set in the National Crime Records Bureau for election-related crimes.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Form 7: An application form used to object to the inclusion of a name in the electoral roll or to seek deletion of a name.
• Special Intensive Revision (SIR): A periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission to update and revise electoral rolls.
• Electoral Registration Officer (ERO): An officer appointed by the Election Commission responsible for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls for a constituency.
• Representation of the People Act (RPA): A comprehensive law governing the conduct of elections in India, including voter registration, delimitation of constituencies, and election disputes.
• Section 31 of the RPA: A provision that penalizes individuals for making false declarations in connection with the preparation or revision of electoral rolls.