Observer Suggests Transparency in Voters' List

Visakhapatnam: Principal secretary J. Shyamala Rao, election observer, has asked officials to maintain transparency in preparation of voters’ list.

Shyamala Rao arrived in Visakhapatnam on Monday as a part of his north Andhra tour of polling centres and verification of voters’ list.

Addressing officials, he said Election of Commission of India (ECI) guidelines must be strictly followed while revising the voters list and making changes in it. He also visited Gajuwaka and Visakhapatnam West assembly constituencies and went through the voters list of these constituencies.

The principal secretary inquired about the modalities being followed in enrolling new voters. He visited a polling centre each in Akkireddypalem area of Gajuwaka assembly constituency, Railway Aided School in West constituency and Seethammadhara Polytechnic College in North assembly constituency.

He told officials that before deleting duplicate votes, a notice must be sent to the voter, seeking permission to delete the name from the list.

Shyamala Rao’s visit assumes importance as there have been complaints from opposition parties that thousands of names have been deleted from the list and duplicate names have been incorporated.

Top revenue officials connected with voters’ enrolment were present with the senior officer.