Meghalaya CEO: No voter deletion without verification, 6.51 lakh names flagged under SIR

The names of more than 6.51 lakh voters in Meghalaya have come under scrutiny in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, a top poll official said on Tuesday, Aug 11 while asserting that no deletion would be made without due verification.

Of the total 23.49 lakh electors covered under the SIR, 6,51,644 have been categorised for further scrutiny, primarily on the basis of discrepancies or the absence of matching records, he said.

"Scrutiny does not mean deletion. Every elector will be given an opportunity to establish that person's eligibility, and due process will be followed before any decision is taken," Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari said.

He said the Election Commission's objective was to ensure the electoral roll was accurate while safeguarding the rights of genuine voters. "We are not here to disenfranchise anybody. The process is meant to identify discrepancies and ensure that eligible citizens remain on the electoral roll," Tiwari said.

The CEO said electors whose names require further verification would be informed and given an opportunity to submit the necessary documents. "Nobody's name will be removed arbitrarily. There will be verification and an opportunity for the concerned elector to respond," Tiwari said.

Around 1.8 lakh electors were excluded from Meghalaya's draft electoral roll published on August 5, officials had said. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on October 7, following the filing of claims and objections.