ECI Warns of Stern Action Against Voting at More Than One Place

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has said stern action will be taken against those who cast their vote at more than one place and those indulging in bogus voting.

The CEC told the media here on Wednesday that 4.07 crore voters were enrolled for the 2024 polls in AP, of which 2.07 crore are female and 1.99 crore male voters, besides 3,486 transperson voters. There are 4.76 lakh persons with disabilities (PwDs), 5.8 lakh voters above age 80 and 1,174 centenarians. The first- time voters number 7.88 lakh while 67,903 persons are service electors.

Rajiv Kumar said the final electoral roll for AP will be released on January 22. As many as 4.07 crore persons are eligible to exercise their franchise. Some 5.8 lakh voters have been allowed to vote from their house itself. Some 1,174 voters are above age 100.

The CEC said he has received complaints about a large-scale deletion of voters. All deletions made since January 6, 2022 till August 30, 2023 have been re-verified by DEOs. Out of the 21 lakh deletions made, only 13,061 deletions (0.61 per cent) were found to be incorrect and these have been rectified.

The complaints regarding dead, shifted and duplicate voters related to 14.48 lakh names. Of these, 5.65 lakh names were found to be either death cases or of persons who have permanently shifted their residence or double entries after verification and deletion, he said.

He said 99 per cent of the complaints were investigated and resolved in relation to the shifting of address of migrated voters and deletion of non-traceable persons.

Cases of voters with Junk/Zero character door numbers, totalling 2.52 lakh, were identified and corrections effected in 97 per cent of the cases.

He said, “A solid set of preparations is in place for Parliamentary and Assembly elections in 2024. Andhra Pradesh is the first state I am visiting for a review vis-à-vis the 2024 general elections. The CEC team, during its visit to the state, held consultations with all political parties, collectors, SPs and senior officials, in the last three days.

Rajiv Kumar promised all stakeholders “the best possible electoral experience” in 2024. ECI addressed all concerns raised by political parties and directed officials to ensure a level playing field for all parties. ECI directed enforcement agencies and district administrations for strict measures to ensure free and fair elections, he said.

The CEC said that in 11 PVTGs - Bodo Gadaba, Gutob Gadaba, Chenchu, Bondo Porja, Khond Porja, Parengi Porja, Dongria Khond, Kutia Khond, Kolam, Kondareddis, Konda Savaras - the total population is 4,29,106 while the 18+ population is 2,94,750. All of these have enrolled as voters.

The press briefing was attended by the election commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel as also DEC Nitesh Vyas along with CEO of AP Mukesh Kumar Meena.