T’puram: CPM state secretariat has demanded that the Election Commission (EC) should ensure that applications for inclusion in the voters’ list can be submitted until the last day of nomination paper submission. EC’s press release stating that applications submitted after March 15 will not be considered is an infringement of the constitutional right to vote, CPM said in a statement. This EC’s decision could result in the denial of voting rights to lakhs of people. “Section 23 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, allows citizens to be added to the voters’ list until the last day of nomination paper submission. EC officials explained in an all-party meeting related to election preparations that this opportunity would be available until this date. However, a press release contradicting this assurance was issued yesterday,” the statement said. EC has a responsibility to inform the public in advance about the final date for adding voters in the assembly elections. Announcing this information a week after the determined final date is unjust. Lakhs of names have been removed from the voters’ list under the name of special intensive revision (SIR). There has not been a proportional addition. Following this, despite legal possibilities, there is an attempt to exclude thousands of people, CPM said. “EC, which should encourage the maximum number of people to exercise their voting rights, is acting contrary to this,” the CPM statement said, adding that EC should withdraw this move.
