Lucknow, Oct 21 Eligible voters will not be denied the right to vote in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections on October 23 due to minor clerical or printing errors in their names or other details in the electoral rolls, Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said on Wednesday.
The provision, issued in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s instructions, will apply to elections in five graduate and six teacher constituencies of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council, Rinwa said in a statement.
He said all concerned district election officers had been directed to take the necessary steps to ensure eligible voters did not face difficulties exercising their franchise because of minor errors in the electoral rolls.
If a voter arrives at a polling station and the presiding or polling officer notices a clerical or printing error in the voter’s details on the electoral roll, Rinwa said, the voter’s identity must first be established.
If the polling officer is satisfied, based on the permissible documents the voter produces or other details recorded in the electoral roll, that the person is the same individual whose name appears on the list, the voter must be allowed to vote, he said.
Rinwa clarified that minor clerical or printing errors in the name or other details will be disregarded in such cases. He emphasised that no eligible voter should be deprived of their democratic right merely because of minor writing or printing mistakes.
The chief electoral officer also directed that all concerned officials and polling personnel be informed of the instructions to prevent confusion or unnecessary hurdles on polling day.
Polling for five graduate and six teacher constituencies of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council is scheduled for October 23.
(PTI News)
