Seek intervention of Mamlatdar in the matter
ALARM ON VOTER ROLL MANIPULATION: Social activist Sanjay Barde along with others addresses the media after submitting a complaint to the Bardez Mamlatdar on Tuesday, alleging irregularities in the addition of migrant names during the ongoing electoral rol
MAPUSA
Activists of Bardez, in a written complaint to the Bardez Mamlatdar, alleged irregularities in the process of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that attempts are being made to add the names of migrant workers across multiple constituencies in Bardez.
In a complaint, Sanjay Barde stated that he has received reports of migrant labourers being encouraged or assisted to apply for voter registration in constituencies such as Mapusa, Saligao, Calangute, Siolim and Porvorim.
He further alleged that in Porvorim, the names of “casino workers and migrants” were being added during the ongoing revision exercise.
According to Barde, some Block Level Officers (BLOs) were “handing SIR forms to migrant workers without first obtaining a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the house owners or verifying proof of ordinary residence,” a requirement mandated under electoral rules. “If this practice is not checked immediately, it will lead to the formation of migrant vote banks benefitting the ruling MLAs,” Barde wrote in his letter, urging the Mamlatdar to initiate a verification process and direct BLOs to strictly adhere to guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Activist Deepesh Naik said that BLOs should be accompanied by BLAs of different political parties to ensure a free, fair and transparent SIR and an accurate voter verification drive.
Officials to seek clarification
Officials in the Bardez taluka administration said that complaints regarding the electoral roll revision are taken seriously and that standard procedure involves referring such complaints to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) for scrutiny and field verification.
A senior official said, on condition of anonymity, that “any allegation involving misuse or procedural lapses during the roll revision process is treated as sensitive, because the integrity of the electoral roll is central to the conduct of free and fair elections.”
Experts weigh in
Electoral observers say such complaints are not uncommon during the annual revision of rolls, particularly in areas with large floating populations.
A former ERO explained that the seriousness of the allegation depends on verification: “A BLO cannot add a name arbitrarily – every application must be supported by documents proving ordinary residence. If the complaint is correct and forms were given out without verification, it is a breach of protocol and needs inquiry. But only an ERO’s on-ground check can establish whether the allegation is substantive or speculative.”
While Barde has alleged that the move could “benefit ruling BJP MLAs”, election officials emphasise that the process is non-partisan, and that any attempts by political actors to influence BLOs constitute a violation of ECI guidelines.
