By Our Reporter
Shillong: Chief Election Officer, P Naik, on Wednesday asserted that the voter’s facilitation centre opened up in different districts cannot be shut down since the centres come directly under the Election Commission of India.
Talking to media persons here on Wednesday, Naik said, “I am only supposed to follow the directives of the Election Commission of India.”
The statement came from the Chief Election Commissioner as NGOs have resorted to agitation following their demand that the voter’s facilitation centres should be closed immediately.
The NGOs are also alleging that many people of doubtful identity are being enrolled in the voters’ list.
However, the CEO stated that the dubious voter’s category is not applicable in Meghalaya. It is only applicable in Assam.
He also revealed that there is a gap of 1.15 lakh voters in the State as presently the total voters in the State is 13.75 lakhs where as projected voters on the basis of census population are 14.9 lakhs.
Naik told newspersons on Wednesday that he is willing to talk with agitating NGOs if they so desired.
The agitating NGOs are demanding that the government should put in place necessary measures to ensure that migrants and foreigners do not get enrolled in the voters’ list.
“All those who are above 18 years of age, and can prove they are citizens of India and are ordinarily residents of a place are eligible to be included as voters,” Naik told reporters.
While reacting to the fears of the NGOs, the CEO said, “Anyone can file their objection against those voters they think are ineligible and the election department will take action as per law.”
It may be mentioned that the Election Commission of India has also opened a complaint cell where people can complain about any enrolment process by dialing 1950.
“The electoral rolls are prepared on the basis that no eligible voter is to be left out and no ineligible voter is to be included and there are mechanisms for check and balance,” he said.
In 2008 the number of voters in the State was 12.33 lakhs and now the number has gone upto 13.75 lakhs.
The NGOs also alleged that some politicians have issued citizenship certificates to those prospective voters who have doubtful antecedents. But the CEO stated that his department does not rely on MLA’s certificate as they may have their own interest in enrolling voters.
Naik further clarified that out of 3044 voters enrolled, 530 were non-tribals, adding, “This is not surprising since Meghalaya and Shillong in particular has a large number of central institutions and floating population.”