The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Meet on electoral rolls revision held

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 01, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Meet on electoral rolls revision held

Special Correspondent

Reports to be sought on inclusion of names in tsunami-affected areas, says Naresh Gupta

BRIEFING PARTIES: Naresh Gupta, Chief Electoral Officer, holding an all-party meeting at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday. — Photo: V. Ganesan

CHENNAI: Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said on Tuesday that reports would be sought from the Collectors of the tsunami-hit districts on the inclusion of names of electors residing in temporary shelters.

After meeting with representatives of political parties at the Secretariat here, Mr. Gupta told reporters that there was apprehension over the deletion of names in the tsunami-affected areas. Some parties wanted to know if officials had included the names of the tsunami victims at their temporary addresses. Some others expressed the view that care should be taken to ensure that their names did not figure at both their temporary and permanent addresses.

Instructions issued

Recalling that instructions had been issued to the District Electoral Officers to ensure that such electors be registered in the areas where their temporary residences were located, he said the Collectors would be asked to send reports after ascertaining the facts.

On suggestions made by representatives of political parties on the issuance of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC), Mr. Gupta said distribution through the online mode would be taken up in 10 days. The work would be carried out at designated centres from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for two days. The exact dates and locations would be publicised shortly. The issue of the cards through mobile units could not be taken up now, as it was expensive and time-consuming.

Delay in draft rolls

Some parties said there was a delay in furnishing copies of the draft rolls in certain areas. Some representatives referred to the special campaign slated for February 4 and wanted it conducted for two days so that more people would turn up at the designated centres to file claims and objections. Orders would be issued in this regard on Wednesday after considering the suggestions, Mr. Gupta said. However, the plea to extend the process of filing of claims and objections would have to be submitted to the Election Commission for clearance.

On a suggestion that deletions must not be made by simply striking out names, Mr. Gupta said this time integrated rolls would be brought out. The final rolls would be published on February 27.

Representatives of the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Pattali Makkal Katchi, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India attended the meeting.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu

News Update

Stories in this Section