As the state’s six parliamentary constituencies is going for second phase poll on April 17, large number of voters of Ranchi Parliamentary constituency is complaining of not receiving the voters slip yet. People are found running from pillar to post to get the slip.
Interestingly, observing a moderate voters turnout in four constituencies on April 10, the party members who are exploiting all possibilities to maximise voters turnout have also asked the administration to ensure that the voter slips are distributed to all before the poll.
State BJP Spokesperson Pradeep Sinha vexed over the Booth level Officers (BlOs) lethargic attitude towards slip distribution service said, “Mission 272 plus can be attained only if voters flock the polling booths. Unavailability of voter slips has aroused a state of confusion among the electorals on their voting right for this election. BJP IT cell is helping the voters in getting the slip. Moreover, they have also launched a helpline number to help voters to know about their name in the electoral roll, polling station.”
Echoing him, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) spokesperson Supriyo Bhatachariya said, “Party has instructed the Booth level Agents to try their best in addressing the voters’ woes. Agents are extending all possible efforts to make voters slip available to the electorals. Besides, party has also appealed the administration for fasten the service.”
Not only BJP and JMM but other political parties as well as independent candidates irked over the BlOs sluggish service have appealed from the administration to address the problem soon.
On the instruction of District Election Officer (DEO) Vinay Kumar Choubey, door to door slip distribution work for Ranchi Parliamentary constituency is in process from April 7, as per the instruction BlOs had to wind up their service on April 11 but looking the public complaint the office of the Chief Electoral Officer has extended the distribution work for another couple of days.
Choubey throwing light on the information about the same said, “The distribution work has been extended. Moreover, we are informing the people as well that they can cast their vote without voter slip too.” According to Election Commission (EC) guideline, if a person has its name in the electoral role but have not received the voter slip the can vote. There are other 11 testimonies which can be furnished for identity and age verification.
“We are making all possible efforts to produce voter slips but deprived voters slip need not to worry about. By producing another identity proof will be allowed to lock their decision,” added Choubey. Though BlOs are entitled to distribute voter slip in Ranchi, there are many registered voters in the city who are yet to receive the slip. like, Pooja Agrawal, 33, resident of Kanke locality said, “My form was submitted during the last phase of enrollment before March 16 but haven’t received the slip yet. I am running from pillar to post to get it but to no avail.”