PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday observed that voters left out of the draft electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) could be in a “catch-22” situation if the Election Commission of India (ECI) does not refer to earlier electoral rolls.
The Bench was hearing a writ petition filed by voter Paresh Salgaonkar and his family members, whose names were removed from the electoral roll after the SIR exercise.
The court noted that when a voter receives a notice from the ECI and appears before the Commission stating that he has shifted residence, he can seek correction or shifting of his entry by submitting Form 8. However, the Bench questioned how such a voter could establish his position if earlier electoral rolls were not considered.
“Everything must be seen for the existing roll. Otherwise, the voter has absolutely no way out of this. It’s a complete catch-22 situation for him,” the Bench observed.
Advocate Gaurish Agni, appearing for the ECI, submitted that the Commission’s guidelines specifically recognise the existence of an earlier electoral roll, which remains in force.
The ECI also told the High Court that the SIR exercise was conducted strictly in accordance with the prescribed guidelines and rules.
The petition will be heard further on Tuesday, October 6.
