🔴 Election Commission of India Publishes Final Voters’ List for Chhattisgarh; Indian National Congress Alleges Deletion of SC-ST, Minority Names

Raipur — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the final electoral rolls for Chhattisgarh, reporting a net increase of 2,34,994 voters compared to the draft rolls published earlier. However, the move has sparked political controversy, with the Congress alleging that names of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and minority community members were deliberately deleted.

📊 Voter List Sees Net Increase

According to the Election Commission:

• The final voters’ list reflects a rise of 2,34,994 electors over the draft electoral rolls.

• The revision process included:

  • Verification of existing entries

  • Addition of newly eligible voters

  • Deletion of duplicate, shifted, or deceased voters

Officials stated that the revision was carried out under established electoral procedures and that objections and claims were addressed during the stipulated correction window.

⚖️ Congress Raises Serious Allegations

The Congress has alleged that the deletion process disproportionately affected SC, ST, and minority voters in certain constituencies.

Party leaders claimed:

• Names of eligible voters were removed without proper verification.

• The deletions appeared concentrated in specific pockets.

• The process may influence electoral outcomes.

Congress representatives have demanded a thorough audit of the revised rolls and called for transparency in the deletion process.

🗳 Election Commission’s Stand

The Election Commission has rejected allegations of bias, maintaining that:

• The revision followed due process under the Representation of the People Act.

• Booth-level officers conducted field verification.

• Political parties were allowed to file objections and seek corrections during the revision period.

EC officials emphasized that the increase in overall voter numbers demonstrates that the process was inclusive and systematic.

📌 Political Implications

Chhattisgarh, a politically sensitive state with a significant SC and ST population, has witnessed closely contested elections in the past. Any allegation regarding voter roll manipulation could escalate into a larger political confrontation.

Observers note that disputes over electoral rolls often intensify ahead of major elections, as parties scrutinize revisions closely.

🔍 What Happens Next?

• The Congress is likely to formally approach the Election Commission seeking clarifications.

• Legal recourse remains an option if the party chooses to challenge the revision.

• The Commission may conduct further reviews if specific discrepancies are documented.

With elections approaching, the controversy surrounding the voters’ list could become a key political issue in Chhattisgarh.