In Godda, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) from several polling stations have reported that members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) submitted Form 7s requesting the removal of multiple names from the electoral rolls. The BLOs noted that many of these submissions did not adhere to proper formatting guidelines and were subsequently rejected, following directives from Block Development Officer Sriman Marandi.
The legal framework for removing names from electoral rolls is outlined in Section 22 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act of 1950. Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) have the authority to amend or delete entries in the electoral roll based on their initiative or upon receiving applications. For each case, an inquiry must be carried out, allowing the concerned elector the opportunity to respond before a decision is made.
EROs may remove an individual’s name from the electoral list if the person is deceased, no longer resides in the constituency, or has been deemed ineligible, which includes instances of being a non-citizen or under the legal voting age of 18 years.
Electors can initiate a deletion request by utilizing Form 7, as prescribed in the Registration of Electors Rules of 1960. This form can be completed by individuals wishing to remove their own name or to contest the eligibility of another elector within the same constituency.
Form 7 is accessible for download via the Election Commission of India’s voter portal (voters.eci.gov.in) and can be submitted to the relevant BLO or filed online. Additionally, the ECINet application allows for online submissions.
To file Form 7 online, applicants must first create an account and link their mobile number to their Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number on the voters’ portal or app. Only voters registered in the same constituency can submit a Form 7 for the deletion of a name from that specific electoral list.
The form requires the applicant to provide their name, EPIC number, and phone number, along with the name, EPIC number (if applicable), and address of the individual being contested. Applicants must select from one of five specified reasons for the objection: “death,” “under age,” “absent/permanently shifted,” “already enrolled,” or “not an Indian citizen.”
While no documentation is needed to support the claim, the applicant must sign a declaration acknowledging that providing false information is subject to penalties. Once completed, the form can be either printed for offline submission to the BLO or submitted directly online.
Since 2018, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has implemented a centralized portal named ERONet for EROs nationwide. Prior to this, states utilized their own systems for processing applications. The introduction of ERONet standardized procedures, although each form is still processed at the local ERO level rather than centrally.
In 2025, the ECI upgraded this portal, merging approximately 40 existing applications and portals for voters and officials. Individuals accessing the voters’ portal or EROs using ERONet are now redirected to the new ECINet platform.
Applications submitted in different regions are received by the respective EROs and Assistant EROs for processing. For each Form 7, the ERO is mandated to notify the elector being challenged, allow seven days for a response, conduct a hearing, and issue a final order. BLOs are also tasked with conducting field verifications.
Despite the online process, the system does not mandate the submission of proof when filing for deletions. There is also a lack of verification to confirm that the EPICs and phone numbers provided by applicants are authentic.
However, ECI officials emphasize that safeguards are integrated into the system via the RP Act and Registration of Electors Rules. Although forms can be filed online, actual deletions must follow a thorough investigation conducted by the ERO and BLO in the field.
Shubham Tigga serves as a correspondent for The Indian Express, currently based in Pune, where he reports on the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the contemporary economy. His work encompasses civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and labor unions, providing valuable insights into the effects of transit and commercial sectors on everyday life.
With a background in journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Shubham has a keen focus on investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His experiences in Chhattisgarh, where he reported on Indigenous issues and environmental justice, enable him to analyze the repercussions of large infrastructure projects on local communities with depth and accuracy.
For further engagement, he is available on LinkedIn.
