The reported mass deletion of voters across India, running into lakhs and even crores, is deeply alarming. The staggering numbers being reported raise serious questions about the manner in which the electoral revision is being conducted. Reports of notices being issued even to persons of national standing, including former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and former External Affairs Ministers, point to what appears to be serious mismanagement in the process. Equally disturbing are reports that the other two Election Commissioners were allegedly bypassed and that their protests and dissent were placed on record. Crores of voters who have exercised their franchise for years are now reportedly at risk of being deprived of their right to vote. There are hundreds of complaints, while genuine voters fear that correcting errors in the electoral rolls could take years. Even if these mistakes are eventually rectified, the damage caused to public confidence in the electoral process may be difficult to undo. The Election Commission must therefore ensure complete transparency, accountability and fairness, and guarantee that no eligible voter is denied the right to vote.
NELSON LOPES, Chinchinim
