Amid bulk filing, ECI sets limit on Form 7 submissions, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) has capped the number of Form 7 submissions by individual voters to prevent bulk deletion of names from electoral rolls.
• During the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) period, an individual elector can file a maximum of 10 Form 7 applications.
• For continuous updation of electoral rolls, the limit for individual electors is five Form 7 applications per month.
• These new limits apply to both online and physical submissions of Form 7.
• The ECI noted that bulk Form 7 applications on unsubstantiated grounds inconvenience voters and increase the workload for field functionaries.

Detailed Insights:

• Previously, there was no prescribed limit on the number of physical Form 7 applications an individual voter could file.
• The move by the ECI comes amidst reports of alleged misuse of Form 7 for bulk voter deletions in states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Karnataka.
• For Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of recognized political parties, the ECI already allows bulk applications, with a limit of 50 forms per day before draft publication and 10 forms per day thereafter.
• The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, stipulate that claims and objections submitted in bulk by an individual should not be entertained.
• Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are mandated to personally cross-verify cases where the same person is the objector in more than five instances.
• The ECI directive emphasizes that EROs must ensure Form 7 is fully detailed and signed by the objector, and false complaints will lead to action against the applicant.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Form 7: An application form used to object to a proposed inclusion or to request the deletion of a name from the existing electoral roll.
• Special Intensive Revision (SIR): A comprehensive exercise by the ECI to verify and update electoral rolls through house-to-house enumeration and verification.
• Electoral Registration Officer (ERO): A government officer responsible for preparing, revising, and maintaining the electoral roll for an assembly constituency.
• Booth Level Agent (BLA): A representative appointed by political parties for specific polling booths to assist in voter registration, deletions, and corrections.
• Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Procedural rules framed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, governing the preparation, revision, and maintenance of electoral rolls in India.