Election Commission for many cut-off dates for enrolment

New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has decided to approach the government to push its proposal to have multiple cut-off dates to enrol voters despite legal hurdles in its plan to register young citizens as voters as soon as they turn 18.

The poll panel has formally asked the Union law and justice ministry to discuss the issue in the coming days. The meeting could be attended by top election commission brass and law ministry officials.

“Based on the meeting, the Commission will take a decision,” said a senior functionary. The legislative department in the law ministry is the administrative ministry for the EC.
However, law ministry sources said that a change in rules or even an amendment to the Representation of the People Act will not help.

“It is for the policymakers to decide whether multiple cut off dates are actually required. Less than one per cent of people are affected due to a single cut off date,” a senior official explained indicating the lack of enthusiasm on part of the government to have multiple cut off dates.

The Attorney General of India had recently red flagged Commission’s plan to have multiple cut off dates to enrol voters.

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