EC tells collectors to check if deleted names exceed 2% of total voter ...

Pune: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed all districts in the state to check if the number of voter names deleted in any assembly constituency was exceeding 2% of its total elector count ahead of the assembly polls. The move aimed at arresting any erroneous name deletions, as encountered during the Lok Sabha election.The total number of voters in the state stood at 9.5 crore in Aug-end.With continuous updates since then, the numbers were bound to have increased, state election officials told TOI on Tuesday. "Any electoral registration officer (ERO) recording a high deletion of voter names will have to consult the election official of the district concerned. If any voter finds his/her name deleted in the list, the person will have to re-register," said a senior ECI official.The process of voter registration would continue till 10 days before the last date of nomination after the assembly elections are announced. "If a situation arises where more than 2% names have been deleted, the officials concerned will have to review the electoral roll for any error. In case a voter's name is deleted by mistake, that particular voter will be promptly asked to re-register," the official said.During the Lok Sabha election this year, many districts reported missing voter names, prompting many electors to even register complains with the ECI. "As of now, we have not encountered any large-scale deletion of voter names in any particular assembly constituency. The number of deleted names is less than 2% of the total voter count in every assembly segment," the ECI official said.Another election official said names of voters would be deleted from the electoral rolls only after giving them prior notice. "If any voter wants her/his name deleted from the electoral roll, s/he must file Form 7, which is meant for the deletion of names," the official said.In the door-to-door surveys undertaken to remove names of the deceased individuals or avert repetitions, Form 7 should mention the exact reason, election officials said. Seema Phugat, who could not vote in the Lok Sabha election as she name was deleted in the Hadapsar assembly constituency, has re-registered as the voter ahead of the assembly polls. "I have filled the form again. Hopefully, my name will reflect on the electoral roll," she told TOI.Increase urban voter turnout: Pune collectorPune collector Suhas Diwase on Tuesday sought increased awareness among urban voters to help increase voter turnout in cities.The district has 86.47 lakh registered voters, the highest in the state. With many housing societies set to house polling booths on their premises, the collector said housing societies should ensure people register as voters. Calling for awareness about ‘Know Your Polling Station' initiative, he also directed that the district deputy registrar of cooperative societies, all deputy registrars of city cooperative societies and their subordinates, employees and auditors on the panel should work in coordination with the housing societies.