By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Members from both the Treasury and Opposition criticized the State Government for blindly following the directive of the Election Commission and going ahead with the process of enrollment of voters without taking into consideration the serious ramifications it could have on the local indigenous population of the State.
Dwelling on the issue during the Question Hour on the first day of the Assembly’s Autumn Session on Wednesday, UDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit questioned whether the ongoing enrollment process does not violate the very spirit of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
“I have a strong reservation that people with doubtful antecedents could get themselves enrolled in the voter’s list and in turn affect the demography of the State,” Basiawmoit said.
Pointing out that the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution was formulated to allow the indigenous population to grow according to their strength, genius and culture, the UDP legislator said, “The political interest of local indigenous population would definitely be interfered with if they are outnumbered by people from outside.”
Basiawmoit also questioned the Minister in charge of Election JA Lyngdoh for stating that the
ongoing enrollment process has no relation with the Sixth Schedule.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Conrad K Sangma questioned whether it is true that a person who comes to the State even for a day is eligible for enrollment in the electoral roll.
“If this is true then this should not be allowed. Normally, the criteria is that the person should stay for at least six months to be recognised as a citizen of the State,” Sangma said.
Commenting on the EC directive, Sangma said, “The EC has given these directives to allow the state government to follow it as per its needs and requirement and I am surprised to see that the government is following the directives without taking into account its effects on the local indigenous population”.
In reply, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that the Government has been responsive after civil societies expressed their concerns over the ongoing enrollment in the electoral rolls.
“We have decided to involve the traditional heads and civil societies in the verification of applicants for enrollment in the voters list and to have Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in all Dorbar Shnongs (Traditional Institutions), educational institutions, blocks and districts for verification of the applicants,” Dr Sangma pointed out.
According to Chief Minister, the main reason for the enrollment drive is to allow young people who have attained 18 years to be part and parcel of the vibrant democratic set up of the country.
Meanwhile, taking note of the EC directive on homeless people, UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh questioned whether the people out on the streets would not require documents to prove their identity since the Booth Level Officers (BLO) would reach out to them.
To this, Minister in charge of Election JA Lyngdoh replied that the authorities have not come across cases of homeless dwellers in the state.
Lyngdoh also informed that people are being enrolled only after thorough scrutiny of the documents provided by them.
