How Did Timely Action Thwart Bogus Voter Registration in Rajpura Assembly?
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Synopsis
The swift action by the Maharashtra Electoral Registration Officer has successfully averted fraudulent voter registrations in Rajura Assembly. With over 6,800 applications deemed invalid, this case highlights the importance of vigilance in electoral processes and raises questions about integrity in voter registration.
Key Takeaways
- Timely actions prevented over 6,800 fraudulent registrations.
- Thorough verification by booth level officers was crucial.
- Criminal proceedings were initiated under relevant laws.
- The incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in the electoral process.
- Electoral integrity must be maintained for a healthy democracy.
Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Sep 19 (NationPress) The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) office in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district announced on Friday that the state administration's swift intervention has effectively thwarted attempts at bogus voter registration in the Rajura Assembly constituency.
From October 1 to 17, 2024, a total of 7,592 applications for new voter registrations were submitted. However, upon meticulous verification by booth level officers, significant irregularities were detected. Out of these, 6,861 applications were deemed invalid due to various reasons including applicants not residing at the registered address, applicants being fictitious, or lacking proper photographs and essential documents. Consequently, these applications were rejected, and no entries were made in the electoral roll,” stated the Chandrapur ERO office.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, the District Election Officer directed the ERO and Rajura Sub-Divisional Officer to conduct a comprehensive investigation into all applications and initiate required criminal actions under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Information Technology Act, 2000,” the statement continued.
As a result, an FIR has been lodged at the Rajura police station, and further investigations are underway by the police.
The ERO office emphasized that due to proactive measures, 6,861 fraudulent applications were rejected and subsequently kept out of the electoral roll for the 70-Rajura Assembly constituency. The action was taken suo motu, without any formal complaint,” it added.
This announcement follows allegations from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi regarding irregularities in the voter list within the Rajura Assembly constituency.
Gandhi claimed that 6,850 fake online entries were made within the Rajura Assembly segment in Chandrapur district.
Rajura is among the six Assembly seats in the Chandrapur Lok Sabha constituency.
Congress candidate Pratibha Dhanorkar secured the Chandrapur seat with a margin of 2,60,000 votes, while in Rajura Assembly, the Congress led by 58,349 votes.
However, in the Maharashtra Assembly elections held just six months later, BJP's Deorao Bhongle narrowly defeated Congress nominee Subhash Dhote by just 3,054 votes.
Dhote stated he would have won elections for the third time by more than 3,000 votes.
“When I formally complained to the Election Commission (EC) regarding fraudulent entries, they eliminated all of them,” he noted.
“The tehsildar also filed an FIR regarding the matter. However, the EC is withholding information about the individuals involved in the scam from the police,” he added.
Point of View
We uphold that maintaining electoral integrity is paramount for democracy. The proactive measures taken by the Maharashtra ERO in preventing bogus registrations underscore the importance of vigilance in safeguarding the electoral process, ensuring that every vote counts and represents the true voice of the citizens.
NationPress
20/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What actions were taken against bogus voter registrations?
The ERO office conducted a thorough verification of applications, leading to the rejection of 6,861 fraudulent registrations, and initiated criminal proceedings.
Who raised concerns about the voter registration process?
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi alleged irregularities, claiming the addition of 6,850 fake online entries.
What is the significance of these actions?
These actions underscore the importance of electoral integrity and highlight the need for vigilance in the voter registration process.
