TPCC seeks probe into alleged misuse of Form 7 in Musheerabad
HYDERABAD: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) on Thursday sought an inquiry into the alleged misuse of Form 7 applications to seek deletion of names from the electoral roll in Musheerabad Assembly constituency.
TPCC Election Commission Coordination Committee chairman Pulipati Rajesh Kumar and committee member Mohammad Wajid Hussain met Chief Electoral Officer C Sudarshan Reddy and submitted a complaint at his office.
The complaint relates to polling station No. 210, where, the TPCC alleged, Form 7 applications were submitted against Congress booth-level agent (BLA) Shafiuddin and about 30 members of his family.
The party alleged that S. Balachander, whom it identified as the BJP BLA for the polling station, submitted the applications.
The TPCC further alleged that the forms were pre-printed and prepared in advance rather than being independently filled by the persons shown as applicants. It sought an inquiry into who prepared the forms, supplied the information and submitted them.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) states that Form 7 is used to object to the inclusion of an elector or seek deletion of an existing entry from the electoral roll. The form requires the applicant to provide details and carries a declaration that knowingly making a false statement is punishable under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The TPCC asked the CEO to obtain and preserve the original applications, including signatures, handwriting, dates, mobile numbers, electoral photo identity card details, declarations and supporting documents.
It also sought individual verification of the applicants to establish whether they had prepared, signed and submitted the forms themselves.
The party asked the Election Commission to examine the alleged similarities in the forms, including their formatting, handwriting, signatures and dates. It also sought an inquiry into whether the forms originated from a common source.
The TPCC further requested an investigation into whether Balachander personally submitted the forms or facilitated their submission. It sought identification of any person, organisation, political party functionary, BLA or intermediary involved in preparing or distributing them.
The party also sought a wider examination of Form 7 applications in Musheerabad and across Telangana. It asked officials to look for applications with common characteristics, sources, handwriting, contact details or other indications of coordinated preparation.
The complaint alleged that similar pre-printed forms could have been prepared or circulated on a wider scale, potentially targeting Congress leaders, their family members and Congress-supporting electors during electoral-roll revision and Special Intensive Revision-related processes.
The TPCC, however, said it was not asking the Election Commission to presume the allegations to be true. It sought an investigation to establish the source and chain of custody of the forms and determine whether similar cases had occurred elsewhere.
The party asked the CEO to initiate appropriate legal proceedings if the inquiry establishes that anyone knowingly submitted false declarations, fabricated documents, impersonated applicants or otherwise attempted to influence the electoral roll unlawfully.
It also asked the commission to ensure that no genuine elector was deleted solely on the basis of disputed applications without the prescribed verification, notice and opportunity to respond.
The TPCC sought a written report on the inquiry and action taken, including the number of Form 7 applications, if any, found to have originated from a common source.
The ECI says objections to inclusion of names can be filed in Form 7 by a voter in the concerned constituency, along with relevant proof. It also provides for verification of electoral-roll applications through the prescribed process.
The complaint was submitted amid the ongoing electoral-roll revision exercise in Telangana. The TPCC has previously raised concerns over the treatment of electors during the Special Intensive Revision process.
