'D-voter category not applicable in Meghalaya'

SHILLONG: In the backdrop of sporadic incidents of violence by suspected NGO activists on the issue of issuance of electoral photo identity cards (EPIC), the state government on Wednesday made it categorical that it was strictly following instructions of the Election Commission (EC) in this regard and that the "doubtful voter" category was not applicable in Meghalaya.

Dwelling on the process of issuance of EPICs, chief electoral officer (CEO) Prashant Naik said it was an "open process with enough safeguards", even as he iterated that he had been following the directions of the EC. "I have officially communicated this to the NGOs," the CEO said. He added that the authorities were prepared to look into specific cases of objection as per provisions of law.

"Our idea is to include all eligible voters without any communal divide," said Naik. We agree that no foreign national should be included in the electoral roll," he said. He added that there was a mechanism available for checks and balances.

Asked about the issues raised by NGOs on alleged inclusion of foreigners in the electoral rolls, Naik exhorted them to formally file their objections. "We will take action. I am always available to talk as I am a public servant. If anyone is a foreigner, he has to be deported as per provisions of law," the CEO said.

Commenting on the issue of "doubtful voters", the CEO said the provision was applicable only to Assam and not any other state in the country because of "certain specific issues" related to the Assam agitation. Clarifying that there were two categories of Nepalese inhabitants in India, Indian Nepalese and Nepali Nepalese, he said only the former had the right to vote in this country as per provisions of the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1950.

Emphasizing that electoral rolls were prepared on the basis that no eligible voter is left out and no ineligible voter is included, he said there are 13.75 lakh voters in the state at present. "However, the projected number of electorate on the basis of census is 14.9 lakh," he added.

He said voters' facilitation cells have been opened in the office of deputy commissioners and sub-divisional officers for issue of forms for inclusion, deletion, transfer and correction of electoral roll as per EC guidance.

On the other hand, the state government on Wednesday invited the four NGOs agitating against the alleged enrolment of "dubious voters" in the state for talks.