NELLORE: As many as 3,95,276 applications have been received for enrollment as voters in East Rayalaseema graduate constituency as on Monday, November 7, the last day for submitting applications to become voters.
Doubts are being raised over receipt of such high number of voters when the number of graduate voters in this segment had been 2,23,751 during the 2017 election.
Incumbent MLC from East Rayalaseema, Vitapu Balasubhramanyam, who has represented teachers in the council for two times in the past, alleged norms have been thrown to winds while enrolling voters, be it for graduates’ or teachers’ segment.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, he pointed out that it is mandatory for district education officers to countersign applications from teachers working in private institutions for enrolment as voters after examining school records.
DEOs used to check PF / EPF accounts of private teachers before countersigning applications in the past, but the Election Commission has relaxed this norm now.
Balasubhramanyam alleged that DEOs have signed hundreds of applications from voters without verifying any records. “DEOs should have at least checked salaries being paid to teachers by verifying bank accounts of the institute. But this has not been done because of political pressures. Even sweepers and clerks are being enrolled as teachers taking advantage of loopholes,” the incumbent MLC charged.
He underlined that DEOs of Anantapur and Nellore had been transferred just two days before the end for enrollment of voters because they refused to countersign applications without verifying relevant records. “In-charge DEO of Nellore, V.S. Subba Rao, signed applications of teachers at the instance of ruling party leaders without verifying records even after the 5 p.m. deadline on November 7. He signed more than 1,000 applications of teachers for enrollment as voters. He left the office when we went to question him,” Balasubhramanyam stated.
He charged that a whopping 1,70,000 applications had been submitted in one go on the last day for enrollment by MLAs and people’s representatives of the ruling party, though only individuals should submit their application as per rules.
