The Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented stringent new guidelines to prevent the misuse of electoral roll deletion procedures, specifically capping the number of Form-7 applications an individual can submit.
This directive comes in response to increasing reports, particularly from states like Karnataka and Odisha, detailing instances where individuals overwhelmed election authorities with numerous unsubstantiated deletion requests and objections, causing significant harassment to genuine electors and administrative strain.
New Limits on Form-7 Filings
Under the revised framework, the ECI has set clear numerical ceilings for individual applicants:
- During claims and objections periods: An individual elector can now file a maximum of 10 Form-7 applications throughout the entire revision period.
- During continuous roll updates: For regular periods outside major revisions, the limit has been capped at 5 applications per month.
Previously, while online submissions had some per-session limits, physical bulk applications lacked defined caps, leaving processing discretion entirely to local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). This loophole often led to significant administrative burdens and potential for misuse.
Strengthened Verification and Safeguards
To ensure transparency and accountability, the poll panel has outlined a robust verification protocol for field functionaries:
- Mandatory notice and hearings: EROs are now required to issue a formal notice to the objector, conduct a personal hearing, and record statements separately for each Form-7 application filed.
- Strict independent verification: EROs must independently satisfy themselves regarding the validity and genuineness of the objection before disposing of applications.
- Right to Reply: The voter whose name or inclusion is being challenged must be granted a fair opportunity to be heard.
- Action against fabricated claims: The ECI has directed that if an objection is found to be false, fabricated, or filed with malicious intent, strict penal action will be initiated against the applicant.
Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) across all states and Union territories have been instructed to circulate these directives immediately among all EROs, Assistant EROs, and field-level functionaries, ensuring rigorous compliance and widespread public awareness.