(Image source from: Thehindu.com)

Over 8 Lakh Applications Seeking Deletion Of Voters Submitted In AP:- Hundreds of thousands of names from voters list have found to be deleted through surveys and using form 7 online, according to the Election Commission.

In every district, votes of YSR Congress Party supporters in 90 percent of the Assembly constituencies were planned to be removed. However, with the entire conspiracy coming out in open, the Telugu Desam Party leaders are in turn, accusing the YSR Congress of stealing TDP voter data.

Online Form 7 seeking deletion of the names was presented in all the assembly constituencies across the state from November 2018.

Up to now, 8,73,500 applications from voters seeking deletion of names from the voters’ list came from unknown sources under the guise of YSRCP.

Due to the large number, the election officials got leery following which the Election Commission ordered a complete probe into the matter. The Election Commission announced that the applications seeking deletion of voter names cannot be accepted until the verification is completed.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that stern action would be taken against those misusing form-7 to seek removal of names of eligible voters.

Up to now, 1.48 lakh votes were removed with the authorities adding that there were more than 30,000 fake applications and more than 24 thousand applications which need to be verified. The remaining 6.70 lakh applications are pending.

According to officials, the pending applications will not be cleared until the checks are completed. However, the checks need to be completed by the time of the elections. Voters are of the belief that if the application is rejected, they will have the right to vote but if the application is pending, they cannot vote. A decision in this regard is yet to be taken by the Election Commission.

Recently, the voter deletion proceedings were disclosed in Narasaraopeta constituency of Guntur district. A form 7 application seeking the deletion of the voter of the member of Rompicherla Mandal, Koteshwar Rao was submitted by a TDP activist online.

Upon receiving the notice, Koteshwar Rao spoke to the officials assuring that he had not submitted any such application and even inquired with the TDP activist who is said to have submitted the form in his place. Eventually, Koteshwar Rao submitted his request in a letter to the officials to not remove his vote following which his name got enlisted in the voters' list.

By Sowmya