Dumka

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar has ordered police to file FIRs against five people for using fake documents to join the voter list. The inquiry looked into Pakur assembly area, where officials found that people used fake residence certificates to change the voter rolls.

Voter list investigation

A Common Service Centre worker named Mohammad Salim was also involved in creating these fake certificates. While visiting the Santhal Pargana region, the official confirmed that caste certificates were given out against the rules. He has told district election officers to check all documents carefully to keep the ongoing voter list review accurate.

Election Commission has moved the last date for claims and objections to September 15. The final voter list is now set for October 19. Officials are checking complaints in Sahibganj, Godda, Dumka, and Deoghar to make sure the records are right.

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar has ordered police to file cases against five people for using fake documents to join state voter lists. This follows an investigation into complaints from Barharwa block in the Pakur assembly area.

Strict verification measures

Officials found four people who supposedly submitted fake address proofs. They also identified a Common Service Centre operator accused of providing the false paperwork. The Chief Electoral Officer said strict checking is ongoing across the Santhal Pargana region, including Sahibganj, Godda, Dumka, and Deoghar districts.

Election Commission officials extended the deadline for filing claims and objections for the voter list revision to September 15. The final voter list will now be published on October 19.

Election Commission of India stopped showing the gender of voters labeled as suspicious during the Special Intensive Revision. This change makes it harder for observers to see how voter list updates affect women and left out groups.

Analysis by Sabar Institute in Jharkhand shows that women, Muslims, and SC/ST voters appear on these lists more often. In five assembly constituencies, including Rajmahal, Pakur, and Dumka, researchers found that almost 47.8 percent of flagged voters had names used only by women. By removing the gender column, the Commission has created a barrier to clarity.

Voter verification challenges

Supreme Court earlier ordered the Commission to give clear reasons for flagging or removing voters. Even so, the current practice hides important demographic details. This leaves many people trying to prove their citizenship at busy offices.

A meeting was held at the District Congress Bhawan in Dumka, chaired by District President Stephen Marandi. The discussion focused on the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of the voter list and preparations for the upcoming Hool Diwas.

Party leaders instructed Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to work with dedication to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral roll. Emphasis was placed on verifying voter data at the booth, block, and panchayat levels to prevent the exclusion of valid voters.

During the event, several new members joined the Congress party. The meeting was attended by various state-level office bearers and party workers who pledged to ensure a smooth voter registration process.