Beggars and people without shelters are being sought to be brought into the election process across Karnataka by the Election Commission following a High Court order. It will also examine the possibility of allowing undertrials lodged in various jails in the State to exercise their franchise.
“We have completed a survey to identify shelterless people. We are trying to get them into the poll process. Only the day before yesterday we got the order,” Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar told presspersons here on Friday. “The deputy commissioners have been told to identify such people. We can identify them since they are in the shelters. Some have been found to have had EPIC. Steps are being taken to issue cards to those who do not have,” he added.
In another case, the commission has been directed by the court to consider providing voting facility for undertrials. “We are undertaking the survey and have to give a report to the Election Commission on India. Whoever has the right to vote are being identified,” he said. According to Mr. Kumar, it not clear in the law whether an undertrial can vote or not.
“A person under preventive detention has the right to vote whereas a convicted person does not. The question is can postal ballot be given to an undertrial. Probably yes,” he added.
An election anthem urging people to vote, written and directed by film-maker Yogaraj Bhat, was released here on Friday.
