YMA flags 'discrepancies' in Mizoram draft electoral rolls, seeks review

Aizawl, Jul 14 (PTI) The influential Young Mizo Association (YMA) on Tuesday alleged discrepancies in the state's draft electoral rolls prepared under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and sought a thorough review to ensure that only genuine citizens are included in the voters' list. The demand came days after Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Garima Gupta, who had ruled out any abnormal surge in the number of voters in the draft rolls, was transferred to Delhi. Addressing a press conference here, leaders of the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) said they had examined the draft electoral rolls published on July 4 and found what they described as "improbable" discrepancies in the digitisation of Enumeration Forms (EFs). The organisation alleged irregularities in the digitisation of EFs in certain constituencies after comparing the draft rolls with the 2005 Special Intensive Revision data and population growth figures. It also claimed to have noticed discrepancies in the mapping process. CYMA president R Lalngheta said the organisation would submit a representation to the authorities seeking a detailed examination of the alleged irregularities. Describing the SIR as a crucial exercise, the YMA said any lapse in implementation could create scope for ineligible persons to find a place in the electoral rolls. The organisation appealed to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) to carry out the revision exercise fairly and diligently, saying the accuracy of the electoral roll was vital to safeguarding democracy and the security of both Mizoram and the country. Earlier, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), a prominent student body, alleged that, of the 95 villages it examined, one predominantly Chakma-inhabited village recorded a 376.92 per cent increase in voters in the draft rolls, while seven villages registered increases of more than 200 per cent and 16 others witnessed increases exceeding 100 per cent. In comparison, villages predominantly inhabited by Mizos recorded voter growth of only 10 to 20 per cent, the student body had claimed. Gupta, a 2004-batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer who took charge as Mizoram CEO on May 18, was transferred to Delhi in a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry on July 9. PTI CORR SOM