Assam Voter List Row: Opposition Alleges Misuse of Form 7, CM Assures Genuine Voters Are Safe

New Delhi: Before the assembly elections in Assam, the political atmosphere has heated up regarding the voter list (Special Revision). Recently, during the revision of the voter list, opposition parties have alleged that Form-7 was being misused to target some voters. This controversy has now given rise to political debate, and questions are being raised about whether all eligible voters are safe or not.

What is the dispute about?

During the ongoing Special Revision (SR) of the voter list in Assam, some opposition parties are claiming that Form-7 is being misused. This form is generally used to remove names or raise objections, but the opposition alleges that it is being used to target certain communities, especially minority voters.

Why are opposition parties raising concerns?

The opposition has urged the Election Commission to ensure strict monitoring to prevent misuse of Form 7. According to them, many names have been filed for deletion without any reason through Form-7, due to which genuine voters can be removed. They have also said that the current time limit for disposal of objections filed till January 28 is short and it should be extended so that every person gets a chance to present his side.

What does the state government say?

Rejecting the opposition allegations, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that this process is completely legal and is being completed after checking at various places. He clarified that no valid voter can be removed from the list without legal process. According to him, no wrong action is being taken against genuine voters, and the people to whom notices are being sent are as per the rules.

Sarma also said that no discrimination is being done in the process and this is an attempt to protect everyone's voting rights.

What is Form-7 and how does it work?

Form-7 is a facility through which a person can lodge an objection to the deletion of his name or the deletion of someone else's name, such as deceased, underage, or already included in the list. Once it is submitted, the concerned officers investigate, do field verification and then only after hearing, any name is removed or kept.

Why has this issue become political?

This controversy is taking a political form as the time for amendment in voter list is nearing the elections. Opposition parties say that this method is being used to target certain communities, while the government says that this process is transparent and is only an attempt to remove old or illegal names.