The Shocking Discovery of Voter List Manipulation
The story begins with Simantini Dhuru, an award-winning documentary filmmaker from South Mumbai. On May 20, 2024, during Phase 5 of Lok Sabha Elections, she went to cast her vote only to discover she couldn’t – her name was missing from the voter list. What made this particularly alarming was that she had received her new voter card just months earlier, on December 18, 2023.
Upon investigation at the zonal office of the Election Commission, an officer revealed something unbelievable: according to their records, she was dead. A man named Keval Shah had declared her deceased and removed her name from the voter list. Within just 7 days of this application being filed, on January 9, the Election Commission deleted her name without following any proper procedure.
The most troubling aspect? No one knew who Keval Shah was – they didn’t even know if he was a real person or just a name on paper. While he claimed to be from Malabar Hills, no specific address or contact details were provided, despite mobile numbers being mandatory for such applications.
Table of Contents
The Scale of Manipulation: State-by-State Analysis
Uttar Pradesh: The Farooqabad Case Study
| Parameter | Statistics | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| BJP Victory Margin | 2,678 votes | Narrowest margin |
| Voters Removed | 32,000+ | Pre-election deletion |
| Most Affected Area | Ali Ganj Assembly | 30% Yadav and Muslim voters |
| Communities Affected | Yadav, Shakya, Jatav, Muslim | Targeted deletions |
| Verification Process | Minimal/None | Rules violated |
The Ali Ganj Investigation Details
News Laundry’s investigation revealed a disturbing pattern. BJP’s MLA Satyapal Singh Rathore wrote to the district administration about “bogus voters,” resulting in 277 voters being removed from just 4 booths within two weeks. These booths predominantly had voters from Yadav, Shakya, Jatav, and Muslim communities.
Shikha Yadav, BLO of booth number 208, revealed the pressure tactics: “After BJP MLA’s letter, district officials used to call for meetings till 10 pm and threaten that if they don’t take action on MLA’s complaint, their salary would be deducted.”
Ground Survey Findings
News Laundry’s door-to-door survey revealed:
- 15% of deleted voters should not have been removed
- 3 people were declared dead while alive
- 40 voters removed claiming address change while living at same location
- No notices sent after name removal
The Meerut Pattern: A Deeper Look
The Meerut Lok Sabha seat revealed an even more systematic pattern:
- Victory margin: 10,585 votes
- Total deletions: 61,365 voters
- Targeted areas: Predominantly Muslim and Dalit populations
Booth-Level Investigation Results
| Booth Number | 2017 Voting % | 2022 Voting % | Anomalies Found |
|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | 1.6% | 43% | Suspicious increase |
| 286 | Normal | Normal | 48 voters in one house |
| 305 | Normal | Normal | Fake colony addresses |
Fake Voter Registration Pattern
The investigation uncovered:
- 27% voters with fake addresses in two booths
- Incomplete addresses on voter cards
- Non-existent colonies listed
- Bulk signings of Form 6 (1800+ in days)
Delhi: The Current Crisis
[IMAGE: Map highlighting affected areas in Delhi]
Recent developments in Delhi show:
- 11,018 voters targeted for removal in Shahadra
- 4,870 in Janakpuri
- 2,435 in Tughlaqabad
- 554 out of 1,337 voters targeted at single booth
The Role of BLOs (Booth Level Officers)
BLOs are critical to the system but vulnerable to pressure:
- Government/Semi-government employees including:
- Teachers
- Anganwadi workers
- Electricity bill readers
- Postmen
- Health workers
- Their responsibilities:
- Home verification
- Voter information verification
- Death certificate verification
- Address verification
The Legal Process vs. Reality
Official Election Commission Process
- Special Summary Revision Timeline:
- August: Process initiation
- October: First draft publication
- 30-45 days: Objection period
- December: Review completion
- January: Final list publication
- Required Forms and Their Purpose:
- Form 6: New voter registration
- Form 7: Voter deletion
- Form 8: Information correction
- Form 9: Addition compilation
- Form 10: Deletion compilation
- Form 11, 11A, 11B: Various corrections
Rules Being Violated
- Bulk Deletions:
- Manual Paragraph 11.3.2 prohibits bulk applications
- Maximum 10 applications per day allowed
- ERO must personally verify if over 30 applications
- Deletion Thresholds:
- Over 2% deletions require ERO verification
- 5+ deletions by one person need cross-verification
Protecting Your Vote: Comprehensive Guide
Immediate Actions Required:
- Check Your Status:
- Visit electoralsearch.eci.gov.in
- Use Voter Helpline App
- Call 1950 (toll-free)
- If Name Missing:
- Visit voters.eci.gov.in
- Complete Form 6
- Create account with required details
- Submit necessary documents
Required Documents:
- Birth certificate
- Age proof
- Residence proof
- Passport photo
Historical Context
The “No Voter Left Behind” campaign of 2019 found:
- 12 crore Indians missing from voter lists
- Many had voted in 2014 but were removed
- Pattern of targeting specific communities
- Systematic manipulation through Form 7
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the legal reasons for voter name deletion?
A: Death, address change, duplicate entry, or voter not found at given address.
Q: Can anyone file for my name’s removal?
A: Yes, any voter in your constituency can file Form 7, but proper verification is mandatory.
Q: What is the verification process for deletion?
A: Notice to voter, 15-day response window, BLO ground verification, and necessary document verification.
Q: How can political parties monitor voter lists?
A: Through booth-level agents and Forms 9, 10, 11, 11A, and 11B.
Q: What if I’m wrongly declared dead or relocated?
A: Immediate objection and re-registration through Form 6 with proper documentation.
Conclusion
This systematic manipulation of voter lists represents one of the most significant threats to Indian democracy. Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Qureshi’s observation is telling: “It is clear from the caste and religious composition that large-scale addition and deletion of voters is being done to provide political benefit.”
Remember: “Every election is determined by the people who show up.” Don’t let your right to vote be silently taken away. Check your status, share this information, and take action to protect your democratic rights.
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