Ranchi, Sep 9 (PTI) Jharkhand CEO K Ravi Kumar on Wednesday warned CSC operators of strict action if they are found manipulating election-related data or preparing fake documents for the SIR exercise.
Kumar held an online review meeting with common service centre (CSC) operators and deputy election officers from all districts of the state after irregularities were detected at a CSC in Sahibganj district.
“Officials should take special care to ensure that irregularities like those found at the Sahibganj CSC do not recur. There is no need to obtain a new caste certificate or residential certificate specifically for the SIR,” the chief electoral officer (CEO) told officials.
An FIR was registered against a CSC operator of Barharwa block within Pakur assembly constituency in Sahibganj district on September 5 for allegedly providing fake certificates to get “ineligible” names included in the voter list.
Four persons were also booked for attempting to enrol their names in the electoral rolls by submitting fake documents.
CSCs serve as access points for delivering the government’s e-services to people.
Kumar said during the SIR verification process, necessary checks can be carried out only on the basis of a valid family list or genealogy, Khatiyan (land record) copy and other records issued by the competent authority.
The CEO directed officials to ensure that there was no manipulation of age-related data, unauthorised alterations or tampering with election-related records.
“If any instance of creating or abetting the creation of forged documents comes to light, the role of the CSC centre concerned will be investigated, and strict action will be taken in accordance with the rules. Action will also be ensured against the responsible individual under applicable laws and regulations,” Kumar told the officials.
The Election Commission published the draft electoral rolls in Jharkhand on August 5 after deleting over 43.61 lakh names.
The state had 2.64 crore electors before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration exercise began.
Following the enumeration exercise, the draft electoral rolls contain 2.21 crore voters, including 1.12 crore men, 1.08 crore women and 260 third-gender voters.
The enumeration exercise was conducted between June 30 and July 29.
The EC has extended the deadline for filing claims and objections under the SIR of electoral rolls in the state to September 15, while the final publication of the revised voter list has been deferred to October 19, an official said.
Earlier, the claims and objections period was from August 5 to September 4, and the final electoral rolls were scheduled to be published on October 7. PTI SAN SAN MNB
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