Software to detect duplicate voter entries in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: A software to check duplicate entries of voters in the electoral rolls in Maharashtra will be used ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

"This is the first time that we will be using the 'De-Duplication' software, while making the voters' list," Chief Electoral Officer Debashish Chakrabarty said.

The software will run on existing rolls and duplicate entries will be thoroughly investigated, he said.
As per Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of People Act, no person is entitled to enrol in more than one constituency and more than once in a constituency.

"The checking method of the software is very simple as it will match the name of voter with earlier registered voters, their age and then the names of their family members," he said.

The exercise would be conducted before publishing final voters' list and in case of repeated names in the electoral rolls, due verification would be followed, he said.

"It is not always the case that people knowingly register more than once. Some voters migrate, or in case of women voters, relocate after marriage," Chakrabarty said.

"In case of duplication, the voter will be given a chance to retain his or her registration only from a single place," he said.