PANJIM: Look at the irony, deep injustice and absolute shame. An 88-year-old woman from Panjim was not allowed to vote as her name was found deleted from the electoral roll whereas her 97-year-old deceased neighbour’s name is still there.
Sebastiana Diniz from Neuginagarm Panjim had come to cast her vote at polling booth number 11 situated inside the Provedoria office at Mala-Panjim on Monday evening. As her name was not found on the electoral roll she was made to sit outside the polling booth for three hours giving reason that her name has been deleted from the electoral roll.
The family members accompanying the elderly woman contacted the presiding officer who in turn informed the returning officer (RO) about the incident.
The returning officer arrived at the polling booth and told her that she won’t be entitled to vote as her name was not there on the electoral roll.
Unaware about the information regarding the procedure that has to be followed in the cases where the name is deleted mistakenly from the electoral roll, booth level officer (BLO) said that he has never seen such cases in his entire career as a BLO.
According to the BLO, the presiding officer holds the right and has the authority to take a final call in such matter.
When enquired with the Presiding Officer (PO), he said the BLO carries the final right to decide whether the voter should be allowed to vote or not.
Dejected by the decision, Bernadette Diniz, daughter of Sebastiana Diniz said, “BLO is asking me to enquire with the presiding officer. Both, BLO along with presiding officer are just passing the buck instead of taking the responsibility.
Returning Officer Dashrath Gawas assured Bernadette Diniz that he would conduct an inquiry into the matter thoroughly. “I will do thorough investigation and find out who was responsible for the deletion of name.”
Gawas further said, “According to the protocol, a person is not allowed to vote once his/her name is deleted. We will include her name in the next summary revision of electoral rolls but for this election, unfortunately she will be not allowed to vote”.
Furthermore, “a person whose name is deleted either on purpose or by mistake is prohibited from voting even if he/she possesses an Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC),” added Gawas.
Blaming the authorities for unacceptable level of negligence, Bernadette Diniz said, “Name of my neighbour who was 97 years and died, still exists in the electoral roll and name of my mother, who is alive is deleted from the same electoral roll.”
“This is highly unacceptable. My mother has been always casting her vote from the same polling booth. I would like to question the Election Commission of India over the negligence in surveying in deletion of names from the electoral roll,” said Bernadette.
