CPI (M) urges ECI to ensure free and fair summary revision of electoral rolls

Opposition CPI(M) on Thursday submitted a deputation before the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Tripura, demanding impartial summary revision of electoral rolls through the neutral role of all Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Addressing a press conference here at CPI (M) West Tripura district committee officer, senior party leader and secretary of West district committee, Ratan Das said that a delegation of CPI(M) on Thursday afternoon met the CEO Kiran Gitte to submit a memorandum and to lodge their complaint against impartial summary revision of electoral rolls going on across the state.

He said that massive irregularities and obstruction are going on; even people were not allowed to participate in the hearing process to enroll their names on electoral rolls.

Das said that the Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of CPI (M) are not allowed to work freely and they are receiving threats and obstructions by ruling party supporters. He also alleged that BLAs from the vast area of Jirania, Mohanpur, Dukli and Sadar subdivisions are not allowed to visit their respective booths and BLOs are being pressured not to delete the names of dead voters.

Das said that they have submitted the documents before the CEO in support of their claims and found that BJP workers are not allowing the BLOs to delete the names of altogether 350 dead voters under Jirania subdivision.

CPI (M) leaders also alleged that BJP workers forcefully included the names of migratory brick kiln workers in Jirania and amidst intimidation poor workers from other states of the country are forced to give their documents to BJP workers, said Ratan Das.

He said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had assured all political parties to take every possible step to ensure the next assembly elections of the state be a free and fair polls. But, the way summary revision is going on across the state –is a step to make the next elections a farce.

“The ECI must stop these undemocratic exercises of the ruling party and BLOs and BLAs to allow work freely for the interest of democracy,” said Das and the ECI should also ensure the security of all BLAs of the opposition party.

Das added that CEO Kiran Gitte passionately heard their grievances and assured that all steps be taken to ensure free and fair summary revision of electoral rolls. Gitte also said that all BLOs of the state will visit every house of the state and will take steps to correct the names of EPIC rolls along with deletion and inclusion of voter names through respective forms.

Gitte also suggested the CPI (M) team register their complaints before all Sub-divisional Magistrates (SDMs) if they notice any irregularities and assured that ECI has instructed the police administration to take stringent steps for any kind of irregularities during summary revision. The CEO also said that ECI has committed to ensure the next assembly elections have free and fair polls.