Who are D-voters in Assam? Electoral draft rolls show 93,021 in the state are 'doubtful voters'

An EC-ordered Special Revision in Assam has resulted in the names of 10.56 lakh voters getting deleted ahead of the assembly polls early next year.

Special Intensive Revision (SIR) processes are already under way at several states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and other states. However, in Assam, the EC has ordered a Special Revision as there are separate provisions for citizenship in Assam under the Citizenship Act.

According to officials, the Special Revision lies between the annual special summary revision and the Special Intensive Revision. This is to ensure that the electoral roll is error-free by facilitating enrolment of eligible un-enrolled electors, correction of clerical errors in name, age and address, removing names of deceased persons, shifting electors, and identifying and deleting multiple entries.

The integrated draft rolls released by the Election Commission revealed that names of more than 10.56 lakh voters have been deleted due to death, shifting, or multiple entries in different locations.

Who are D-voters in Assam?

The draft electoral roll showed that Assam has a total of 2.51 crore voters. This does not include the 93,021 doubtful voters, officially termed as D-Voters. These voters have been disenfranchised by the Assam government as they lack proper citizenship credentials. Determined by special tribunals under the Foreigners Act, 1946, these individual are not given a voter card.

All related particulars, such as name, age and photograph, of D-Voters have been carried forward to the draft electoral roll without any change.

Voters can file claims and objections till January 22. The final electoral rolls will be published on February 10, a statement said.

Around 4.79 lakh names were deleted as the individuals were deceased. A further 5.23 lakh voters shift from their registered addresses while 53,619 were registered at multiple locations.