Social activists urge poll panel to release genuine voter list

Hyderabad: Alleging that the Election Commission (EC) had failed to prevent bogus voters, Basti Vikas Manch (BVM) representatives on Friday demanded that the EC consider enumeration of voters and release a new list.

Speaking to media persons here on Friday, manch convenor Jasveen Jairath alleged that the poll panel has failed to spread awareness among people to enroll as voters. The process is complicated and required online literacy.

She said that the correction form were so complicated that it was preferable to re-apply. House-to-house verification had been discontinued, she said.

Social activist Lubna Sarwath said she did a case study on the Asifnagar ward of GHMC in which she found bogus voters in polling stations No. 21 and 22. The cursory look showed that 10 per cent of EPIC holders were bogus among 51,831 voters.

"The EC released a fresh voter list without printing pictures. During the GHMC elections, the voters list had photographs to ensure authentication," she added.

Another social activist, Sarah Mathews, alleged that her name was missing from the voters list though she obtained a voter ID from the Election Commission. As per the EC guidelines, she has to apply for a fresh card. Mathews, a resident of the Cantonment Assembly constituency, said that she would fight legally against the Election Commission on the spate of irregularities.