Sushmita Dev Files Police Complaint Over Alleged Voter Roll Manipulation in Assam
In a significant development concerning electoral integrity in Assam, Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Dev has formally lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the office of the Cachar superintendent of police. The complaint centers on allegations of a deliberate and systematic attempt to strike off the names of legitimate voters from the electoral roll in the Masughat area, which falls under the Borkhola assembly constituency.
Formal Complaint Seeks Legal Action Under Representation of the People Act
Dev submitted a detailed written complaint to SP (Cachar) Partha Protim Das on Saturday, explicitly requesting action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The complaint targets Mohan Lal Das, whom Dev accuses of filing multiple Form 7 objections during the special revision (SR) of electoral rolls currently underway in Assam. This legal provision deals with offenses related to electoral rolls, making the complaint a serious matter of potential electoral malpractice.
Allegations of Systematic Voter Deletion and Political Motivations
Speaking to journalists after filing the FIR, Dev expressed grave concerns about the impact on local residents. She stated that people in Masughat have been "moving from police station to police station" in confusion, struggling to understand the proper procedure to address their grievances regarding the electoral list.
The MP made startling allegations that a single individual had submitted 22 separate Form 7 applications seeking the deletion of voters who have not only participated in previous panchayat and Lok Sabha elections but have also been long-term residents of the area. This pattern suggests an organized effort rather than random objections.
Most controversially, Dev claimed she personally overheard the accused speaking on the telephone and asserting that he was "acting on instructions from the district office of BJP." This allegation directly links the voter deletion attempts to political machinery, raising questions about potential partisan interference in the electoral process. At the time of reporting, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not issued any response to these serious charges.
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity in Assam
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about electoral roll accuracy and manipulation in Assam, particularly during revision periods. The special revision of electoral rolls is meant to ensure list accuracy, but such allegations suggest possible abuse of the process for political gain.
The filing of an FIR represents an escalation from mere complaints to formal legal action, indicating the seriousness with which Dev views these allegations. The case now involves police investigation alongside electoral authorities, potentially setting a precedent for how similar allegations are handled in the future.
Local residents' confusion about grievance procedures, as noted by Dev, also points to potential gaps in voter education and support systems during electoral roll revisions. This situation underscores the need for clearer communication channels and assistance for citizens facing issues with their voter registration.
As Assam prepares for future elections, this case will likely draw attention to the integrity of electoral processes in the state, with implications for voter confidence and political accountability.
