Electoral-Roll Claims and Objections

Electoral-roll claims and objections allow people to seek inclusion in the voters' list or challenge an existing or proposed entry. The statutory mechanism is administered by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, together with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

Statutory framework and responsible authority

The Representation of the People Act, 1950 governs electoral-roll preparation and revision, while the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 prescribe the procedure for claims, objections and their disposal.

• Section 13B provides for an Electoral Registration Officer for each constituency, who is responsible for preparing and revising its electoral roll.
• Eligibility generally requires Indian citizenship, attainment of 18 years on the relevant qualifying date, ordinary residence in the constituency and absence of a statutory disqualification.
• Sections 17 and 18 prohibit registration in more than one constituency and registration more than once in the same constituency.

Submitting claims and objections

During revision, the draft roll is published so that eligible persons can examine it and submit claims or objections within the notified period. Applications are made in prescribed forms to the ERO.

• Form 6 is used to claim inclusion of an eligible person's name.
• Form 7 is used to object to a proposed inclusion or seek deletion of an existing entry, subject to the prescribed requirements.
• Form 8 is used for correction of entries and shifting of residence by registered electors.
• Applications for inclusion, correction and deletion can also be considered outside the draft-revision exercise, subject to statutory restrictions.

Inquiry, decision and safeguards

The ERO determines whether the requested change is justified; an objection does not itself remove a person's name. The Rules provide for notices and a summary inquiry where required.

• Section 22 empowers the ERO to correct, transpose or delete entries after the necessary inquiry.
• Before deletion for reasons such as loss of ordinary residence or ineligibility, the affected person must receive a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
• Section 23 governs inclusion of names; where an applicant is already registered elsewhere, the previous registration must be removed through the prescribed process.

Appeals and election-period restriction

• Section 24 provides appeals against orders under Sections 22 and 23 through the prescribed appellate authorities.
• The Rules also provide an appeal mechanism against decisions on claims and objections during revision.
• Under Section 23(3), inclusion and changes under Section 22 cannot be made after the last date for nominations until completion of the election.