The Hindu : National : Photos on electoral rolls by 2009

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 16, 2006
ePaper

National

National

Photos on electoral rolls by 2009

Sarabjit Pandher

In addition to ongoing Electors Photo Identity Cards

CHANDIGARH: The Election Commission of India has decided to introduce photo electoral rolls and appoint its own Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for proper verification of voters and redress of disputes in all constituencies across the country by the 2009 general elections.

The preparations for implementation of this decision were discussed extensively at a zonal meeting of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the Northern States including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Chandigarh here on Friday. The meeting was presided over by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), N. Gopalaswamy, who was accompanied by the Election Commissioners, S.Y. Qureshi and Naveen Chawla.

One of the officers present at the meeting informed The Hindu that the State CEOs were detailed that as a pilot, the Election Commission would select one Assembly segment in every Lok Sabha constituency to prepare such photo electoral rolls. According to the decision, the photograph of every eligible voter would figure on the rolls along with the name and elector number to check bogus voters.

This would be in addition to the ongoing Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).

After intensive revisions and necessary amendments in the procedures if required, the process would be replicated in all Assembly constituencies. The States have been directed to complete the compilation of photo electoral rolls by 2009.

Similarly, the Booth Level Officers, who would report directly to the Commission during every election, would facilitate verification of the voters, settle local disputes and act as a prompt interface with the public. For the time being, the Commission is contemplating appointing BLOs who are aware of the local issues and would be in a position to `fairly' identify maximum voters in their respective booths.

`Speed up'

Punjab was directed to speed up and complete its process so that the rolls were ready by this coming January in view of the forthcoming Assembly polls.

The Commission conveyed it to Chandigarh's Electoral Officer to speed up the process of issuing EPIC.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National