By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: State Chief Election Officer (CEO) P Naik on Tuesday asserted that nobody can refuse to accept the forms for enrolment of new voters as per guidelines of the Election Commission of India.
Reacting to complaints of refusal by the election officers in accepting enrolment forms at different counters across the State, Naik said that there should be a ‘speaking order’ when forms are refused.
Elaborating on the ‘speaking order’ Naik said, “When a form is accepted or rejected the onus of acceptance or rejection shall have to be specified (speaking order). Nobody can refuse anyone and the onus lies with the Electoral Returning Officer (ERO).”
He informed that there is a provision for appeal for both acceptance as well as objections for which the Deputy Commissioner is the first appellate and if the person is not satisfied he can further appeal to the CEO in the State.
NGOs in the State are spearheading a move against enrolment of ‘D’ voters and are seeking to condone the application of the electoral guidelines in order to protect the tribal identity, while the election office in the State is trying its best to enroll fresh and genuine voters.
On the notification pertaining to summary revision of electoral roll for the 2013 elections, Naik said, “It would signify that anyone who has attained the age of 18 within October 1, 2012 shall have right to enrollment.”
The State election office is targeting to enroll as many as 60,000 fresh voters before the Assembly polls.
