Homlessness no ground for disqualification as voter: Government

NEW DELHI: Being homeless is not a disqualification for enrollment as a voter, the government made this clear in the Lok Sabha today.

In a written response, Law Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said according to the Election Commission, "being homeless is not a disqualification for enrollment (as a voter)."

The EC, he said, has endeavoured to enroll each and every Indian citizen who is eligible for enrollment in electoral roll.

"In all such cases where a homeless applicant does not possess any proof of ordinary residence, booth-level officers have specifically been directed to physically verify the ordinary residence by visiting the address given in Form 6 at night to ascertain that the concerned homeless person actually sleeps at the place as given in the Form," he said.

Law Ministry is the administrative ministry for the Election Commission.

The Minister said either bank or kisan or post office current pass book, ration card, passport, driving licence, income tax assessment order, latest rent agreement, latest water or telephone, electricity or gas connection bill and any post or letter or mail delivered through Indian Postal Department in the applicant's name at the address of ordinary residence can be considered as one of the proofs of address by the electoral registration officer.

India has over 85 crore voters.