News- Bulk Form 7 applications during Special Intensive Revision have raised concerns about misuse and large-scale deletion of voters.
About Form 7 Controversy
- Form 7 controversy relates to bulk objections filed to delete names from electoral rolls during the ongoing special intensive revision.
- Legal Basis
- Form 7 is governed by Section 13(2) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, framed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
- Filing a false declaration is punishable under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, with imprisonment up to one year or fine or both.
- Key 2022 Amendment: In 2022, the Election Commission amended Form 7 to allow any voter in a constituency to file an objection, instead of restricting it to persons from the same booth or polling station, thereby widening its ambit.
- Aim: Form 7 aims to allow objections to incorrect inclusion of names in electoral rolls on valid and specific grounds.
- Permissible Grounds: Objections can be filed on grounds such as death, duplication, shifting of residence, ineligibility due to age or citizenship, or misrepresentation.
- Mechanism
- Eligible Applicant: Only a person whose name is already in the roll can file Form 7. Booth Level Agents can also file objections.
- Physical Verification: Booth Level Officers must conduct physical verification of address and eligibility.
- Death Cases: In case of death, verification requires signatures of three neighbours and a death certificate.
- Absence Check: If the voter is absent, three physical visits are required.
- Hearing Notice: The concerned voter is issued a notice for a hearing before any decision is taken.
- Appeal Provision: Appeals can be filed before the district magistrate within 15 days.
Core of the Controversy
- Bulk Filing: Allegations claim systemic and coordinated bulk filing of Form 7 applications.
- Scale of Deletions: Names of 6.5 crore electors were removed from draft rolls, reducing voters from 51 crore to 44.4 crore.
- Affected States: Highest deletions were reported from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat.
