Key Takeaways
- The Election Commission's guidelines are being bypassed by booth-level agents through the ECINET portal.
- The bypassing of guidelines raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in India.
- The Election Commission must take measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that the electoral process is transparent and accountable.
Introduction to Election Commission Guidelines
The Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country. To ensure the integrity of the electoral process, the Commission has established guidelines for booth-level agents (BLAs) to follow. However, recent reports have revealed that these guidelines are being bypassed by BLAs through the ECINET portal.
Background of Election Commission Guidelines
The Election Commission's guidelines are in place to prevent the misuse of the electoral process. One such guideline caps the number of applications that a BLA can submit per day at 10, after the publication of the draft electoral roll. However, the ECINET portal, which is used for online submissions, does not have a mechanism to impose this limit, allowing BLAs to file more than 10 applications per day.
ECINET Portal Lacks Mechanism to Impose Limit
BJP booth-level agent Chitresh Chandoliya, for instance, filed 35 objections in two days, all through the ECINET portal. This is in violation of the Election Commission's guidelines, which state that a BLA shall not submit more than 10 forms a day after the publication of the draft roll. Chandoliya said that he filed all the Form 7 applications for deletions online and that if he were to submit the forms to the election office, he wouldn't be allowed more than 10.
The Form 10 reports, which compile details of Form 7 applications for deletion, remain available on the Election Commission portal for seven days. The reports show that Chandoliya filed 12 objections on September 21 and 23 on September 22.
Other Booth-Level Agents Also File Multiple Objections
Three other people also filed more than 10 objections in a day last week. Arun Kumar Tanwar filed 12 objections on September 25 in Delhi Cantonment, while Sabo Devi filed 15 on September 27 in Tri Nagar.
Between September 21 and 26, 1,095 Form 7 objections were filed. Data showed that around 80% were filed by individuals against their own names. In one case, 20-year-old Apoorv Dwivedy appeared to have filed an objection against his own name, citing 'death'.
Disposal of Form 7 Objections Faster than Form 6 Inclusion Applications
The disposal of Form 7 objections has also been faster than the disposal of Form 6 inclusion applications, despite the latter being higher in number. Between September 14 and 20, 519 Form 7 applications were disposed of, compared with 92 Form 6 applications.
- 1.54 lakh applications for inclusion have been received since the publication of the draft roll on August 31.
- 3,435 applications seeking deletion have been received since the publication of the draft roll on August 31.
- Over 350 voters have already been marked 'ineligible'.
Deadline for Filing Claims and Objections Extended
The deadline for filing claims and objections has been extended from September 30 to October 30. The Election Commission has also directed that applications received through Forms 6 for inclusion, 7 for objection/deletion, and 8 for modification be computerised and uploaded on the Delhi CEO's website daily.
Implications for Readers in India
The bypassing of Election Commission guidelines by booth-level agents has significant implications for the electoral process in India. It raises concerns about the integrity of the process and the potential for misuse. Readers in India should be aware of these developments and demand greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission.
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What to Watch Next
As the electoral process continues, readers should watch for further developments on the bypassing of Election Commission guidelines. The Election Commission's response to these reports and the measures it takes to prevent such incidents in the future will be crucial in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Expert Perspective
Experts have expressed concern over the bypassing of Election Commission guidelines, stating that it undermines the integrity of the electoral process. They have called for greater transparency and accountability from the Election Commission and for measures to be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
Timeline of Events
The following is a timeline of events related to the bypassing of Election Commission guidelines:
- August 31: The draft electoral roll is published.
- September 14-20: 519 Form 7 applications are disposed of, compared with 92 Form 6 applications.
- September 21-26: 1,095 Form 7 objections are filed, with around 80% filed by individuals against their own names.
- September 30: The deadline for filing claims and objections is extended to October 30.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the bypassing of Election Commission guidelines by booth-level agents is a serious issue that raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in India. The Election Commission must take measures to prevent such incidents in the future and ensure that the electoral process is transparent and accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ECINET portal?
The ECINET portal is an online platform used for submitting applications related to the electoral process.
What are the guidelines for booth-level agents?
The guidelines for booth-level agents include a cap on the number of applications that can be submitted per day, among other things.
What are the implications of the bypassing of Election Commission guidelines?
The bypassing of Election Commission guidelines raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process in India and has significant implications for the country's democracy.
