Exercise of franchise by ‘Doubtful’ voters: Tarun Gogoi asked Chief Secretary to take up matter with EC

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi asked Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia to take up the matter immediately with the Election Commission of India regarding the exercise of franchise by ‘Doubtful’ voters.

The Supreme court of India has in its order on February 8 this year stated, “We make it clear that in case any of the voters, referred to in the order passed by the single bench of the high court, shows to the authorities concerned at the appropriate stage that he is covered by Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, he shall be permitted to participate in the election process."

These voters are termed as doubtful voters for identity of these voters is doubtful and their names are yet to be cleared by the Foreigners tribunal. Presently the number of doubtful voters in Assam is around 1,36,448.

Gogoi said that in view of the verdict by the apex court to restore the voting rights of ‘D’ voters the Election Commission of India must instruct the District Returning Officers to ensure that the ‘D’ voters are able to exercise their votes without any hassles.

Gogoi said “It’s a good decision on the part of the apex court to restore the voting rights of the ‘D’ voters, an issue hanging in the balance since long. Following the apex court verdict, the Election Commission of India must pass on necessary orders to the District Returning Officers to ensure that the ‘D’ voters are able to cast their votes without facing any difficulty,” he added.

All India United Democratic Front ( AIUDF) has been attacking the Congress government in Assam over the D voter issue .