Can Your Name Be Deleted From Voter List Without Notice?
Written by Karan Sharma
Rahul Gandhi accused BJP of voter list tampering in Karnataka. But what do rules say? ECI clarifies that no name can be deleted without prior notice and a speaking order.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged large-scale voter deletions in Karnataka’s Aland constituency.
He claimed BJP was behind it and accused the Chief Election Commissioner of protecting “vote thieves.”
This raised questions: can the Election Commission really remove names from the voter list without informing citizens?
The Election Commission clarified the rules during the Bihar voter revision process.
A “Speaking Order” is mandatory before any deletion from the electoral roll.
It is a written order explaining the decision, reasons, and legal basis for removing a voter’s name.
Importantly, voters must receive a notice before their name is cut from the list.
Earlier, Booth Level Officers often removed names arbitrarily, causing chaos on polling day.
The new system ensures transparency, fairness, and trust in the electoral process. Now, no voter can lose their franchise without due process.