CHANDIGARHThe BJP’s complaint highlights several specific concerns that the party claims are undermining the integrity and transparency of the revision process:
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Promotion of State Schemes: The party alleges that some officials deployed for election duties are using the door-to-door exercise as a pretext to collect data on Punjab government welfare schemes and are actively encouraging citizens to avail themselves of benefits under these programs. The BJP contends that this is entirely unrelated to the ECI’s mandate and is being used to influence voters.
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Unauthorised Document Demands: Complaints have surfaced from various regions that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are demanding documentation not prescribed by ECI guidelines. According to the party, tenant voters are being asked to produce registered rent agreements or landlord affidavits to verify their residence—requirements that the BJP claims are not only unauthorised but also designed to cause unnecessary hardship and complicate the registration process.
The BJP has urged the Election Commission to take immediate, corrective measures to restore public trust in the process. Their demands include:
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Independent Inquiry: An immediate investigation into the conduct of officials allegedly collecting data beyond the scope of the SIR and promoting government schemes.
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Disciplinary Measures: Strict disciplinary action against any officials found to be acting outside their prescribed duties.
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Strict Compliance: A directive to all District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to strictly adhere to ECI guidelines, ensuring that no documents beyond those officially required are demanded from voters.
“The electoral roll revision must be conducted in a completely fair, transparent, and voter-friendly manner,” Dhillon stated, emphasizing that these “arbitrary practices” are creating unnecessary hurdles for the electorate and compromising the credibility of the upcoming electoral process.
The ECI has not yet issued a formal response to the complaint.