Delhi elections on Feb 5, ECI says no voter name deleted

New Delhi: Assembly polls in Delhi will be held on February 5 and the votes counted on February 8, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced on Tuesday.

The last date to file nominations is January 17 and the scrutiny of nominations will be done by January 18. Candidates will be able to withdraw their nominations till January 20.

Delhi elections in single phase

"It is a single-phase election… We have deliberately kept polling on a Wednesday so more people come out to vote… like we did in Maharashtra," Kumar said at a press conference.

Political parties to maintain decorum

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday urged political parties to maintain decorum during elections and said the Election Commission would conduct checks to ensure free and fair polls.

Kumar was addressing a press conference to announce the schedule for the assembly polls in Delhi.

"We will check everyone for ensuring money-free elections. During recent polls, there was a hue and cry that some helicopters were checked. People even come down to threatening polling officers but we control ourselves because it disturbs the level playing field," Kumar said.

Star campaigners follow etiquette

"The star campaigners and those in political campaigns are duty-bound to ensure that etiquette is followed... We will be very harsh. Star campaigners should not act in a way that discourages common voters," he said.

District magistrates and returning officers will ensure fair play and a level playing field for every candidate, he added.

"We will also request the political parties not to create undue pressure on the officials," Kumar said and added that the parties could ask for any explanation in writing.

Bypolls for two asssemblies

Bypolls to two assembly constituencies -- Milkipur in Uttar Pradesh and Erode in Tamil Nadu -- will also be held on the same date.

No manipulation in electoral rolls

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar dismissed allegations of manipulation in electoral roll, saying no deletion can occur without thorough documentation, field verification, and giving the concerned individual an opportunity to be heard.

Kumar emphasised that the process for additions and deletions is transparent, rigorous, and immune to arbitrary changes.

Kumar says,"Every step of the electoral roll process is rooted in transparency and accountability. Deletion of names is not possible without adhering to strict protocols, and every party has the right to raise objections at various stages."

Kumar also detailed the comprehensive process governing the maintenance of electoral rolls.

For additions, names are included only after thorough foot-and-field verification by booth-level officers (BLOs), he said.

Booth level agents

"Regular meetings are held with the representatives of political parties, who have the right to appoint booth-level agents (BLAs). Weekly lists of claims and objections are shared, and both draft and final rolls are published on the Election Commission's website. Polling station rationalisation is also carried out with the consultation of all the stakeholders," the CEC said.

On deletions, Kumar clarified that they are processed only through Form 7 or Form B, following strict guidelines.

"Mandatory field verification is conducted by the BLOs, and in cases where deletions exceed 2 per cent of a polling station's voter list, cross-verification is done. Deletions due to death require a certified death certificate, and a seven-day window is provided for objections after notices are published online. Also, the affected voters are given the opportunity for a personal hearing before their names are removed," he said.

"No deletion can occur without thorough documentation, field verification, and giving the concerned individual an opportunity to be heard," Kumar reiterated.

ECI shares reviews with political parties

The CEC also pointed out that claims and objections are not only reviewed, but also shared with all the political parties and made accessible online to ensure transparency.

Criticising the tendency to question the integrity of the electoral process only during elections, the CEC argued that allegations of mass deletions are misleading without evidence and undermine public trust in the system.

"Where every vote matters, raising doubts about deletion of thousands of names without evidence is misleading. The processes we follow leave no room for manipulation," he stated.

Delhi chief minister Atishi allegations of deletions refuted

The CEC's comments came in the backdrop of recent allegations made by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, who claimed the voter list in the New Delhi Assembly constituency had been tampered with to influence the upcoming elections.

Atishi also called for an immediate inquiry into the matter, alleging large-scale deletions to manipulate the electoral outcome.

Budget

Election commission of India to direct the cabinet secretary that no Delhi-specific provision can be made in Union Budget that can disturb level-playing field during Delhi elections.

(Inputs from PTI)