Voter Notice Chaos: Ex-CEC Slams "Big Mess" in Delhi Electoral Roll!

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) OP Rawat has sharply criticized the Election Commission of India's (ECI) process of issuing "logical discrepancy" notices during the ongoing electoral roll revision in Delhi. Rawat, who served as CEC in 2018, described the situation as a "big mess," particularly highlighting the lack of clear parameters for these flags and their impact on ordinary citizens.

The concept of "logical discrepancy" was originally introduced to identify illegal immigrants. However, according to Rawat, it has evolved into an all-encompassing category where even minor errors, like a spelling mistake, can trigger a notice. This has led to a significant number of voters, including prominent figures like Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former External Affairs Minister S.

Jaishankar, former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu (not explicitly in provided text, but implied by 'Dhankhar'), and veteran leader L.K.

Advani, receiving these notices. Rawat dismissed the ECI's defense that issuing notices to VIPs demonstrates impartiality, arguing it's a flawed logic.

He pointed out that while VIPs have the resources and media attention to resolve such issues quickly, a poor person lacks the wherewithal, name, or technology to contest a notice effectively. He stated that the ECI should prioritize protecting the rights of the poor rather than equating them with the rich in this context, emphasizing that the poor are disproportionately affected by the cumbersome process.

With over 1.9 million Delhi voters flagged for logical discrepancies and given until October 29 to respond, Rawat questioned the adequacy of safeguards for ordinary voters without legal resources. He stressed that a daily wage worker simply cannot afford to miss a day's work to attend a hearing, unlike VIPs whose records are often reconciled without much hassle by Block-Level Officers (BLOs).

The former CEC also raised concerns about the ECI's transparency, noting a shift from its previously proactive and open culture. He questioned why the commission has not been more forthcoming with disclosures, especially as the Supreme Court is currently hearing a plea seeking more specifics behind each notice.

This repeated need for court intervention, Rawat suggested, indicates a fading transparency within the ECI's internal culture.

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