False information furnished in Form-7 by impersonation; Police Launches Investigation Into Electoral Roll Fraud
Port Blair, Mar 06: A
complaint received recently from Asst Electoral Officer/Tehsildar, Port Blair,
raised concerns about unauthorized deletions in the Electoral Roll via online
voter helpline apps. An investigation ensued, revealing false information and
resulting in FIR by Andaman and Nicobar Police.
Addressing a press
conference in this regard, the Superintend of Police of South Andaman, Niharika
Bhatt, IPS said that On 22/02/24, a complaint letter from Asst Electoral
officer/Tehsildar, Port Blair addressed to the SHO, PS Aberdeen was received
against unknown persons for filling in for deletions of various names listed in
the Electoral Roll through online voter's helpline apps. It was submitted in
complaint that during the door to door survey conducted by BLOS for preparation
of Electoral Roll, all persons whose name mentioned for deletion in Electoral
Rolls through online mode were found alive and residing in the same part.
She added that on the
basis of the complaint, a preliminary enquiry was conducted and the enquiry
statements of BLO's were recorded and Form-7 submitted online was obtained.
Form-7 is application form for objections for proposed inclusion/deletion of
name in existing electoral roll.
It is clearly
mentioned in Form -7 that any false statement made in the DECLARATION portion
is a punishable offense under Section 31 of the Representation of People Act,
1950. Further, the applicant needs to provide his own details as per rules
13(2) of the Registration of Electors Rules-1960 while raising objection to the
inclusion of a name in the electoral roll.
According to the SP,
preliminary enquiry based on information provided in Form-7 & BLOS door to
door survey revealed that false information was furnished in Form-7 by
impersonation, hence an FIR No 40/24, dated 04/02/24, U/s 419 IPC, r.w.s 31 of representation
of people Act, 1950 has been registered at PS Aberdeen against users of mobile
numbers provided by AERO in his complaint and is being investigated.
She informed that
police will take strict action against Electoral Offences.
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