BJP planning to manipulate electoral rolls, ‘delete names of 10,000 voters’: Assam MLA

The integrity of electoral rolls is the bedrock of any functioning democracy. An allegation by Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is planning to manipulate electoral rolls by deleting the names of 10,000 voters who do not support the party, strikes at the very heart of India's democratic process. This issue, if proven true, represents a grave threat to free and fair elections, which are considered a basic feature of the Indian Constitution.

**The Cornerstone of Democracy: Electoral Rolls**

Electoral rolls, also known as voter lists, are official registers containing the names, addresses, and other details of all eligible voters in a particular constituency. Their accuracy, inclusivity, and regular updating are paramount to ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise their fundamental right to vote, and that no ineligible person casts a ballot. The process of preparing and revising these rolls is a continuous one, typically undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) through its state-level machinery (Chief Electoral Officers and Electoral Registration Officers) and involving door-to-door verification, public display of draft rolls, and opportunities for citizens to file claims and objections. Political parties are also given copies of these rolls and are expected to assist in identifying discrepancies, not create them.

**The Allegation Unpacked**

Akhil Gogoi, a prominent figure and MLA from Sibsagar, Assam, alleged in early January that the BJP had set a deadline of January 12 for its MLAs and district presidents to submit booth-wise lists of voters who do not vote for the BJP. The alleged purpose of this exercise was the deletion of these voters' names from the electoral rolls. While these are serious accusations requiring thorough investigation, they immediately raise concerns about partisan interference in a process that must remain strictly neutral and non-discriminatory. The sheer number of alleged deletions (10,000) also points to a potentially systematic attempt to influence election outcomes.

**Key Players and Their Roles**

Several stakeholders are central to this issue. **Akhil Gogoi**, as the accuser and an elected representative, plays the role of a whistleblower, bringing alleged malpractices to public attention. The **Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)**, as the accused party, faces the onus of clarifying its position and ensuring its functionaries adhere to electoral laws. The **Election Commission of India (ECI)** is the most crucial stakeholder. Mandated by **Article 324** of the Constitution, the ECI is responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament and state legislatures. Its independence and impartiality are vital. The **voters** themselves are the ultimate stakeholders, whose fundamental right to vote and trust in the democratic system are directly impacted. State electoral authorities, under the ECI, are responsible for the ground-level implementation of voter registration and deletion procedures.

**Constitutional Safeguards and Legal Framework**

India's Constitution provides a robust framework to safeguard the electoral process. **Article 325** explicitly states that no person shall be ineligible for inclusion in, or claim to be included in a special electoral roll on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them. While this article primarily addresses discrimination based on identity, the spirit extends to ensuring that political affiliation cannot be a ground for disenfranchisement. **Article 326** establishes adult suffrage, granting every citizen of India who is not less than 18 years of age the right to vote, provided they are not otherwise disqualified. The **Representation of the People Act, 1950 (RPA, 1950)**, along with the **Registration of Electors Rules, 1960**, provides the detailed legal framework for the preparation and revision of electoral rolls. It lays down specific procedures for inclusion, deletion, and correction of names, requiring due process, public notice, and opportunity for hearing, to prevent arbitrary removal of voters.

**Why This Matters for India's Democracy**

Such allegations, irrespective of their veracity, have significant implications for India. They erode public trust in electoral institutions and the fairness of elections. If political parties can manipulate voter lists based on perceived support, it undermines the very principle of 'one person, one vote' and distorts the democratic mandate. It creates an uneven playing field, potentially suppressing voter turnout of opposing groups and influencing election outcomes through illicit means rather than policy debate. This challenges the fundamental premise of a representative democracy where citizens choose their leaders without coercion or disenfranchisement. It also highlights the constant need for vigilance and robust oversight by the ECI and civil society.

**Historical Context and Future Implications**

Historically, concerns about electoral roll accuracy have surfaced periodically, ranging from issues of duplicate entries to the inclusion of deceased persons or the arbitrary deletion of names. The ECI has consistently worked towards cleaning up rolls through initiatives like the National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP), but challenges persist. The current allegation, if substantiated, could lead to severe penalties under the RPA, 1950, and RPA, 1951, which prescribe punishments for electoral offences and malpractices. In the future, this incident may prompt the ECI to further strengthen its verification processes, increase transparency in deletion procedures, and possibly introduce more stringent penalties for those attempting to manipulate rolls. It also underscores the need for continuous electoral reforms to adapt to new challenges and safeguard the democratic process against partisan subversion. The ECI's swift and impartial investigation into such matters is crucial to restore and maintain public confidence in the electoral system, especially as India approaches major electoral cycles.