Central Information Commission calls for inquiry into voter IDs given on MP, MLA reference

NEW DELHI: Taking a serious view of 58,000 cases of voter cards with wrong photos admitted by Delhi Government, the Central Information Commission today called for an in-depth inquiry into cards issued on residential proof with MP or MLA recommendation to curb bogus voting.

Hearing a case in this regard, Information Commissioner Sridhar Acharyulu said in the context of admission about mistakes and huge bogus votes by Chief Electoral Officer of national capital in a PIL before Delhi High Court, the problem appears to be more serious and complex.

"It is shocking to know that there are 58,000 cases of wrong photo image, including that of a film star on a common man's voter card, an in-depth inquiry into residential addresses with MP recommendation criterion might reveal more bogus votes," he said.

Acharyulu said as there is a possibility of correction in voters' list, the Commission recommends the SDM (election) to examine the issue and if that could be used to detect the bogus voter cards, such an initiative should be adopted "immediately".

"This issue of bogus voter cards because of disputed residential addresses and multiple cards in one name is not taken seriously by the respondent authority," he said.

The case relates to an RTI petition filed by a lawyer Anil Sood who sought from SDM (elections) concerning Assembly constituency-36 the copies of booth-wise list of registered voters, males/female ratio, number of people who have given their permanent address proof other than those in which they are residing etc.