Maharashtra SIR: Lists of ‘logical discrepancies’, ‘unmapped persons’ yet to be published

Maharashtra’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has not yet published the list of 1.22 crore voters in the State who were issued notices, as part of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, for ‘logical discrepancies’ or for being ‘unmapped’ in previous SIRs.

As per the notification issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for Phase 3 of the SIR, the CEO of every State has been directed to publish on their websites the lists of persons to whom notices were generated for being unmapped or for logical discrepancies.

Asked about the delay, sources in the CEO’s office said that the list is to be published by the EROs (Electoral Registration Officers). “The process of publication is on at their level,” an official said, without giving any stipulated time frame for the publication of the list.

There are 59.75 lakh unmapped people and 62.48 lakh people whose names have been flagged for logical discrepancies in the State, taking the total figure to a whopping 1.22 crore. States like Karnataka, Telangana, Delhi, where the figures are considerably lower, have already published their lists.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra CEO on Thursday announced special camps to be held in the State on October 17, 18, 24, and 25, for the inclusion of new or excluded electors. People have been asked to check their names in the draft electoral roll and file their claims and objections by October 26.

PIL to halt SIR

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was heard in the Supreme Court on Thursday, which sought that the SIR process in Maharashtra should be kept in abeyance. The PIL has claimed that the SIR process in the State is “arbitrary, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 21 of the Constitution.” It also claimed that the process was being conducted in “brazen violation” of the rule of law, provisions of the Constitution, provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1950. It raised objections to the process, alleging that it led to “selective disenfranchisement”. The court has so far not issued any notices in the matter.

“Of the 9.8 crore voters, 2 crore have been just knocked off in Maharashtra. 1.22 crore have been issued notices for logical discrepancy or for being unmapped. If such large numbers are getting affected, there is something seriously wrong in your process. What is a logical discrepancy? What is the basis of it? What are the grounds? Once I get an Aadhar card, the inquiry should stop there,” senior advocate Arvind Datar said, while speaking with The Hindu about the petition in the top court.