EC shifts gears, wants electoral rolls ready by mid-January
Even as indications of snap polls get stronger, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday directed states to have revised electoral rolls in place by mid-January 2008.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Even as indications of snap polls get stronger, the Election Commission (EC) on Monday directed states to have revised electoral rolls in place by mid-January 2008.
January 1, 2008, will be the cut-off date for revised rolls, which will have to be published by states by mid-January, 2008. This essentially means that in the event of fresh parliamentary elections being scheduled early next year, all those figuring in the rolls will be eligible to vote. Of course, deletions and additions to the voters’ list can be made right up to the start of nomination process.
The EC’s direction to the chief electoral officers of 14 southern and western states at their meeting here on Monday come at a time when strained ties between the Congress and Left over the nuclear deal threaten to push the country into mid-term polls. However, the Commission officials maintain that Monday’s meeting was a routine followed every year to ensure publication of revised rolls in the first or second week of January, with January 1, 2008, as the base date.
Among the subjects discussed in detail at the meeting include coverage of elector photo identity cards, rationalisation of polling stations and use of geographical information system in election management, said an EC spokesperson.
Though the revision of rolls is an ongoing exercise, it appears that the commission does not wish to be caught off-guard when the Manmohan Singh government recommends fresh Lok Sabha poll. The publication of revised rolls by mid-January is one of the preparations that the commission would have made when snap polls come knocking.
The Congress is pinning its hopes on the new voter to bolster its electoral prospects by projecting Rahul Gandhi in the campaign. But this did not succeed in the last assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. Neutral observers feel that the party may find it difficult to play on the dynasty theme as most of the young voters do not have any memory of the "services of the Nehru-Gandhi family".
January 1, 2008, will be the cut-off date for revised rolls, which will have to be published by states by mid-January, 2008. This essentially means that in the event of fresh parliamentary elections being scheduled early next year, all those figuring in the rolls will be eligible to vote. Of course, deletions and additions to the voters’ list can be made right up to the start of nomination process.
The EC’s direction to the chief electoral officers of 14 southern and western states at their meeting here on Monday come at a time when strained ties between the Congress and Left over the nuclear deal threaten to push the country into mid-term polls. However, the Commission officials maintain that Monday’s meeting was a routine followed every year to ensure publication of revised rolls in the first or second week of January, with January 1, 2008, as the base date.
Among the subjects discussed in detail at the meeting include coverage of elector photo identity cards, rationalisation of polling stations and use of geographical information system in election management, said an EC spokesperson.
Though the revision of rolls is an ongoing exercise, it appears that the commission does not wish to be caught off-guard when the Manmohan Singh government recommends fresh Lok Sabha poll. The publication of revised rolls by mid-January is one of the preparations that the commission would have made when snap polls come knocking.
The Congress is pinning its hopes on the new voter to bolster its electoral prospects by projecting Rahul Gandhi in the campaign. But this did not succeed in the last assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. Neutral observers feel that the party may find it difficult to play on the dynasty theme as most of the young voters do not have any memory of the "services of the Nehru-Gandhi family".
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