In the Godda district of Jharkhand, a concerning trend has emerged following the publication of the draft electoral roll on August 5, as part of the state’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Reports indicate that a BJP Booth Level Agent (BLA) has been approaching voters at various polling stations with multiple Form 7 applications aimed at removing names from the electoral roll. Notably, the majority of these names belong to individuals from minority communities, including those of Abdul Mannan Khan, Mohammad Naushad, and others.
An investigation conducted by The Indian Express revealed that in at least four polling booths, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have rejected these applications, deeming them to be either insincere or procedurally flawed. These BLOs are state government employees operating under the current JMM-Congress coalition administration.
The BJP has raised concerns regarding the BLOs’ refusal to process these forms, thereby introducing a political conflict between local election officials and BJP representatives. This issue has escalated to the attention of the Chief Electoral Officer.
The Indian Express spoke to several voters whose names were targeted for deletion. These individuals have deep-rooted ties to their villages, many having been verified in the 2003 electoral roll revision. According to the Election Commission’s regulations, this historical presence should facilitate their inclusion in the current SIR process.
For instance, in Booth No. 9 of Maheshtikri village, one BLA, Sanjeev Kumar Roshan, submitted 25 forms against voters. Interviews with eight of these individuals revealed their anxiety over potential disenfranchisement and loss of access to government programs.
In a nearby booth, another BLA brought 75 forms, which he reportedly destroyed when questioned by the BLO.
Sriman Marandi, the Block Development Officer (BDO) for Basantrai, which encompasses these booths, informed The Indian Express that he had received complaints from four different booths: Maheshtikri, Pachua Kita, Lochni, and Baghakol. He stated that a formal inquiry would be initiated following field verification, and added that BLOs had been directed not to process forms due to uncertainties about their legitimacy. “These BLAs should have submitted a formal complaint to the SDO or to me for investigation,” he noted.
Godda MLA Sanjay Prasad Yadav from the RJD mentioned that he had discussed the situation with Marandi, who assured him that appropriate measures were being implemented.
The SIR process in Jharkhand commenced on June 30, with the draft list released on August 5, resulting in approximately 16.48% of voters (around 4.3 million) being removed from the electoral rolls. The ongoing claims and objections phase is set to conclude on September 4.
Form 7 deletions can be initiated on various grounds, including but not limited to absence, relocation, death, duplication, or lack of citizenship. Notably, the applicant is not required to provide supporting evidence but must sign a declaration acknowledging the seriousness of submitting false information.
Anisha Bano, the BLO for Maheshtikri, recounted that a BJP BLA presented her with around 25 forms that lacked authenticity. “The BLA claimed these forms were for voters not present in the village, and indicated that 50 more would be submitted later. All the names listed were of Muslim voters,” she explained. Although she initially accepted the forms, subsequent instructions from BDO Marandi led her to reject further submissions.
In a similar instance, BLO Mukhtar from Pachua Kita described how a BLA approached him with 75 Form 7s that were not consistent with the official documents received from the block office. “When I clarified the purpose of the forms, he seemed unaware and insisted they were for adding names. I informed him that he was actually submitting evidence for deletions,” Mukhtar stated, adding that he ultimately did not accept the forms.
In Maheshtikri village, numerous residents have lodged complaints with BDO Marandi regarding the mass filing of Form 7s against them in Booth No. 9. Abdul Mannan Khan, a 70-year-old resident, expressed his longstanding connection to the village and shared his distress over the threat of losing his voting rights. “This is our home and we are Jharkhandis. How can they delete our names?” he questioned. BLO Bano reassured the villagers that their names would remain, but Khan worries about losing access to government benefits.
Mohammad Naushad, aged 50, emphasized his family’s historical ties to the electoral roll dating back to 2003, expressing concerns over potential disenfranchisement and the implications for their citizenship status. “What if our names are removed and we can’t access benefits? Where do we go if we are no longer recognized as citizens?” he lamented.
Naushad’s father, Mohammad Shafiq, 80, and his wife, Bibi Basilan, 65, both registered voters in Maheshtikri, echoed similar sentiments. “We have been voting here for decades and possess all necessary documentation proving our residency. Suddenly, there are obstacles being placed before us,” Shafiq stated.
Basilan added, “Our family is facing destruction… Where will we go? What kind of system is being created against the voters?”
Mohammad Aslam, 65, another local laborer, asserted that he and his family have consistently participated in elections in their village, highlighting the distress caused by the Form 7 applications.
