00:00Dear viewers, the issue of voter deletion has become highly politicized in Maharashtra.
00:06As local body election approach, some people are suddenly discovering their names are missing
00:11from the voters list.
00:13Some find out only when they go to cast their vote.
00:16And that's when reality hits.
00:18Imagine standing in line for hours only to be told your name is not there.
00:23No SMS, no call, no notice, just gone.
00:26It's not just about one vote, it's about trust in the system.
00:30Why are names being deleted?
00:32Who decides that?
00:33And most importantly, are voters even told before it happens?
00:38These questions have triggered huge anger, mochas and blame games across Maharashtra.
00:43But beyond the politics lies a very real fear that many genuine voters might lose their democratic
00:49right without even knowing it.
00:51Hi I'm Khatija and you're watching Lokma Times.
00:54In this video, we will break down how voter deletion actually happened.
00:58Why the notification process is failing?
01:00How you can check if your name is still there?
01:03And what to do if it's been deleted?
01:05But before we start, do subscribe and press the bell icon so that you never miss an important
01:09update.
01:10Let's begin with how voter deletion really works.
01:13Under the Representation of the People Act of 1950 and the Registration of Electoral Rules
01:18of 1960, an electoral registration officer or ERO has the power to delete names from the
01:24list.
01:25But this can only happen for a specific legal reason.
01:28A person's name can be deleted if they have passed away, if they have shifted out of the
01:33constituency, if their name is already registered somewhere else or if they are simply not eligible
01:39like being under 18 or not a citizen of India.
01:42Now there are two ways this deletion starts.
01:45One, a person can request to delete their own name by filling form 7.
01:49Two, anyone, even another voter, can file form 7 to object to someone else's inclusion.
01:55The shocking part?
01:56No documents are needed to file this form.
01:58The applicant just has to declare their statement as true.
02:02It can be filed online through the ECINET app or even through a local booth level officer.
02:08In Maharashtra, things have become even trickier.
02:11The State Election Commission or SEC has told officials to identify voters who appear twice,
02:17what they call duplicate entries.
02:19These voters are marked with double asterisk, contacted and asked to confirm where they actually
02:24vote.
02:25But the SEC says they are not being deleted, only monitored.
02:29Now comes the real problem, are voters informed before deletion?
02:33Legally, the answer is yes.
02:36The law clearly says before any name is deleted, the ERO must prepare a list, publish it on notice
02:42board and even give the voter a chance to object or explain.
02:46The Election Commission of India has also ordered that voters should receive SMS or email notifications
02:52if their names are being removed.
02:54But on the ground, this rarely happens.
02:57In fact, a Central Information Commission order back in 2015 revealed that many voters were
03:02being deleted silently without notice, without any explanation.
03:07The Commission even called it a denial of a fundamental constitutional right.
03:12In Supreme Court hearings too, lawyers have argued that people never get to know their names
03:17were deleted.
03:18So how can they appeal or fight back?
03:20The gap between the law and reality is huge.
03:23And that gap is exactly where voters lose their voice.
03:27How can you check if your name is still there on the list?
03:30The easiest way is online.
03:31Visit the Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra website, click on search name and voter list,
03:38enter your district, constituency and name and check.
03:41You can also go to the National Voter Service portal at voters.eci.government.in and search
03:47using your name, EPIC number or even your registered mobile number.
03:52If you prefer the old school way, you can download the PDF of the voter list from the CEO website
03:57or simply visit your booth level officer and check the physical list yourself.
04:02But what if you find your name has been deleted?
04:05Don't panic.
04:06There are solutions.
04:08First, immediately file Form 6.
04:10This is for re-registration.
04:12You can do it online or submit it to your ERO.
04:16You'll need ID proof like Aadhaar or Passport and address proof like an electricity bill or
04:21rent agreement.
04:22Second, you have the right to appeal.
04:26Under Rule 23 of the Registration of Electoral Rules and Section 24 of the Representation of
04:31the People Act, you can appeal to the district magistrate within 15 days of deletion.
04:36If that doesn't work, you can file another appeal with the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra.
04:42You can also use the RTI route, file a right to information request asking why your name
04:47was deleted and whether the due process was followed.
04:50In 2015, the Central Information Commission even awarded compensation to voters who were
04:55wrongfully deleted without notice.
04:58So yes, you have rights, but you have to use them.
05:01So the broader story here is political, but it's also deeply personal.
05:05During the 2023 elections, over 5.5 lakh names were deleted in Maharashtra and opposition
05:11parties accused the Election Commission of targeted deletion.
05:15The ECI denied it, saying total voters actually increased.
05:18Still, the anger remains because each missing name represents one silenced citizen.
05:24The Election Commission has now put safeguards like a 2% limit on deletion per constituency and
05:30a rule that any higher number must be explained by the officer in charge, Maharashtra's SEC.
05:36He said it will not delete names on its own, only handle duplicate entries.
05:41But whether these checks will protect ordinary voters, only time will tell.
05:45So as citizens, the most powerful thing you can do is check your name and stay alert because
05:51losing your vote quietly is easier than you think and regaining it takes time, efforts
05:56and awareness.
05:57So this story isn't just about politics, it's about participation.
06:00Maharashtra's democracy is built on every single vote including yours.
06:05So verify your name, spread awareness and make sure your right to vote stay yours.
06:10So that's all, don't forget to like, share and subscribe and tell us in the comments if
06:14you ever faced issues with your voter registration because your voice matters.
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