Thiruvananthapuram: All allegations related to the voters' list, including claims of multiple entries for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, will be thoroughly investigated before the next electoral roll is published, State Chief Electoral Officer Ratan U Khelkar told Manorama.

This is the CEO's first response since widespread allegations surfaced, including fake votes, duplicate entries and votes recorded in the names of deceased persons. The revised voters’ list is scheduled to be published on January 1.

If errors are found in the existing list, both individuals and political parties may file complaints. Booth Level Officers (BLO) will investigate these by visiting the voter's home and neighbourhood. Necessary action will be taken if the complaint is found valid, the CEO said.

Why doesn't the Election Commission detect these mistakes on its own rather than waiting for political parties to find them?

The Election Commission is already doing so. In addition, political parties and members of the public can submit written complaints. If a complaint is rejected, it can be appealed. Copies of the voters' list are provided to all political parties, and the Booth Level Agents (BLA) of recognised parties can intervene at any stage. This system is designed to ensure maximum transparency.

Is it a crime for someone already on the voters’ list to apply again as a new voter? What action will be taken in such cases?

A. Under Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, a voter cannot register in more than one constituency or apply more than once. Those wishing to transfer their vote to another constituency must do so under Section 31. Providing false information can result in imprisonment for up to one year, a fine, or both.

Who is responsible for acting against multiple voting? Were any actions in this regard taken in previous elections?

A. The Presiding Officer at the polling station has the authority to act. If there is suspicion of impersonation, the Presiding Officer can stop the voter from casting their ballot and may order an arrest for offences such as impersonation, multiple voting, or fraudulent voting.

Why is CCTV footage destroyed after 45 days?

This follows the Election Commission directive dated June 19, 2023. Footage from various stages of the election process is retained primarily for security and transparency. If a petition or legal case arises where the footage is relevant, that specific data will be preserved until the case is resolved.