The situation regarding the electoral rolls in Punjab has escalated, with additional claims arising from local political figures. Two-time Congress MP Dharamvira Gandhi has reported that both his name and those of his family members are absent from the draft electoral roll published as part of the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative. This revelation follows a similar complaint by BJP MP Raghav Chadha, who indicated that his name was marked as “shifted” despite having his voter ID registered in Mohali.

In an official statement, Gandhi expressed his frustrations, noting that he has been residing at the same address since 2000. He highlighted that he has contested three Lok Sabha elections and secured victories in two, using this house as his permanent address according to all official records. Nonetheless, he is dismayed that his name, along with those of his family members, is not included in the electoral roll.

Details of the SIR Process Emerge

Further details regarding the SIR process indicate that although Gandhi’s name was initially absent from the voter list, he was later added through the proper procedures. However, Gandhi maintains that he did not receive any notice personally throughout this process. He asserted that officials were well aware of his status as a sitting MP, which necessitated a higher level of diligence in the issuance of notices.

The situation has led to confusion, as notices have been sent to his wife, son, daughter, and daughter-in-law, while he alleges that essential data related to his family members has not been accurately reflected. The notices issued to his family members are already documented, which adds to his concerns about the oversight.

In the midst of these developments, Raghav Chadha has questioned the integrity of the electoral roll process. Transitioning from AAP to BJP earlier this year, he asserted that his voter ID remains in Mohali and expressed bewilderment over the designation of his name as “shifted.” He referred to Paragraph 4(d) of the SIR guidelines, which purportedly includes provisions for a “protected list” of public representatives such as MPs and MLAs.

Political Reactions and Responses

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has dismissed Chadha’s allegations, stating that the electoral revision process is conducted solely by the Election Commission, implying that the state government plays no role in the decisions regarding the inclusion or exclusion of names from the electoral rolls. The party further accused Chadha of attempting to alter his voter registration to Delhi through an alleged ‘backdated process.’

An official from the Election Commission has countered the assertion that there were any attempts to facilitate Chadha’s name being included in the voter list for Delhi through unofficial means. Currently, the electoral rolls from the SIR exercise are in the draft stage, allowing for a claims and objections process where voters can raise concerns about any omissions or discrepancies prior to the finalisation of the rolls.

This ongoing situation highlights the complexities and challenges associated with electoral processes in Punjab, bringing to light the potential issues surrounding voter registration and the integrity of electoral rolls. The implications of such discrepancies may impact not only the individuals involved but also the broader electoral landscape in the region as the final rolls are prepared for publishing.

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