Key points…
— The BJP leaders emphasized the need to expedite the ongoing drive to link Aadhaar numbers with voter IDs
— Voters from the same household were found scattered across the rolls due to chronological registration
— Call for the removal of voters who have moved away or passed away.
— Suggest integration of the electoral database with the state’s Birth and Death Registry to facilitate automatic updates.
— Raised concerns over duplicate entries where individuals are registered in multiple constituencies or even across states
Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a move aimed at strengthening electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 Goa Legislative Assembly elections, a delegation of senior BJP leaders led by State President Damu Naik met with Chief Election Commissioner Verma and submitted a detailed memorandum demanding urgent reforms to cleanse the electoral roll.
The delegation, which included prominent leaders Sidharth Kuncalienker, Keshav Prabhu, Navin Pai Raikar, and Pundlik Raut Desai, highlighted several key issues including the presence of fraudulent, duplicate, and ineligible voters on the current rolls.
The BJP leaders emphasized the need to expedite the ongoing drive to link Aadhaar numbers with voter IDs, describing it as an essential step toward curbing duplication and increasing accuracy in the electoral database. They also pointed out irregularities where voters from the same household were found scattered across the rolls due to chronological registration. The party recommended grouping voters by house number to make identification and verification more efficient.
In their memorandum, the leaders called for the removal of voters who have moved away or passed away, suggesting an integration of the electoral database with the state’s Birth and Death Registry to facilitate automatic updates. They further raised concerns over duplicate entries where individuals are registered in multiple constituencies or even across states. “A state-wide and national audit of voter lists is needed to eliminate this malpractice,” the memorandum stated.
The delegation also drew attention to suspiciously high numbers of voters registered under single addresses—cases which they say often indicate bogus registrations. They urged the Commission to verify these instances and take corrective action. Additionally, the BJP leaders demanded that all changes—additions or deletions—in the voter list be made in consultation with Booth Level Agents (BLA 1 and BLA 2) appointed by political parties, rather than unilaterally by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
“We respect the independence of the Election Commission, and we believe that maintaining a clean and transparent voter roll is fundamental to upholding the democratic process,” said BJP State President Damu Naik following the meeting. The party expressed confidence that the Election Commission would take prompt and effective measures to address the issues raised, ensuring a more credible and trustworthy electoral system in the state.
