Amidst rising allegations of large-scale irregularities in Assam’s electoral rolls, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified on Monday that the preparation and maintenance of the voters’ list is solely the responsibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Speaking at a press briefing in Guwahati, Sarma emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has no role in the compilation or alteration of the electoral rolls. He further added that the BJP will also participate in the process by filing objections wherever discrepancies are found, as the deadline to submit complaints is January 22.
Opposition Accuses BJP of Manipulating Voter Rolls
The Opposition, led by Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, had accused the BJP of planning to manipulate the voter list by adding 5,000 to 10,000 names at the last moment in each constituency to influence the upcoming Assembly elections. Saikia alleged that a secret directive from the BJP aimed to include non-Assamese voters without the knowledge of local residents. According to him, this tactic was designed to help the ruling party stay in power for another five years, even at the cost of violating constitutional norms. These serious accusations heightened political tensions in the state as the election approaches.
Sarma Challenges Opposition to Use Proper Legal Channels
In response, CM Sarma challenged the Congress to formally raise their concerns through the legal process rather than merely airing accusations through media channels. He explained that the election process includes multiple forms—Form 6 for new voter registrations or corrections, Form 7 for deletions, and Form 8 for objections—and urged all parties to use these mechanisms to raise complaints. Sarma stressed that unless these formal procedures are followed, claims made on public platforms will not hold any weight in the electoral process.
BJP Highlights Errors in Draft Electoral Rolls
Sarma also pointed out that the BJP itself has noticed various errors in the draft voter lists, such as names of deceased individuals or people currently residing out of the state, including those working in Kerala. He assured that the BJP will highlight such discrepancies and file formal objections within the stipulated time frame. According to him, it is common for draft electoral rolls to have mistakes, which are usually rectified during the claims and objections period. This process ensures the accuracy and fairness of the voter list ahead of the elections.
