The ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls in Assam has triggered a political controversy, with opposition parties alleging misuse of Form-7 to delete names of genuine voters, a charge firmly rejected by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Opposition leaders have claimed that Form-7 — used to seek deletion of names from the voters’ list on grounds such as death, migration or duplication — is being filed in large numbers, often without proper verification. They alleged that genuine voters, particularly in certain areas, have been wrongly issued notices or marked for deletion, raising concerns of possible disenfranchisement ahead of the next Assembly elections.
Several opposition parties have approached the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging it to ensure that the revision process is conducted transparently and that no eligible voter is removed without due process. They have also demanded an extension of deadlines to allow affected voters sufficient time to respond to objections.
Responding to the allegations, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said there was no controversy surrounding the Special Revision exercise and asserted that genuine voters are fully protected. He maintained that the process is being carried out strictly in accordance with Election Commission guidelines and dismissed the opposition’s claims as politically motivated.
The Chief Minister said the SR exercise aims to ensure accuracy in the electoral rolls by removing ineligible entries and duplicate names, adding that the opposition was attempting to create unnecessary panic.
Election Commission officials have also clarified that Form-7 objections are subject to verification and that no name is deleted without issuing notices and conducting hearings. The ECI has warned that frivolous or false objections could invite legal action.
The final electoral roll following the Special Revision exercise is expected to be published next month. Meanwhile, the issue continues to generate debate in the state, with voter rights and electoral transparency emerging as key concerns.
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