The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has raised concerns over the alleged misuse of Form 7 during the SIR of electoral rolls in Uttarakhand, submitting memoranda to the concerned authorities in several cities.
APCR has so far submitted memoranda,from 7 to 9 August, in Haldwani, Dehradun, Jaspur, Kashipur, Kaladhungi, Ramnagar, Rudrapur,Kichha, and 15 other cities, raising concerns about the use of Form 7 for seeking deletion of names from the electoral rolls.
Through these memoranda, APCR has urged the authorities to ensure that Form 7 is used strictly in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure and that no voter is removed from the electoral roll without proper verification and an opportunity to respond. The organisation has also raised concerns over the possibility of Form 7 being used incorrectly or in a manner that could affect the voting rights of eligible citizens. APCR has called upon the election authorities to maintain transparency and ensure due process throughout the SIR exercise. It has submitted memoranda in 23 major cities across Uttarakhand, bringing the issue before the authorities at the local level.
APCR said the electoral roll is not merely an administrative record but the foundation of citizens’ right to vote. Any process that can result in the deletion of a voter’s name must therefore be carried out with transparency, accountability and strict adherence to the law.