Kamrup (M) admin clarifies viral video on multiple voters at same address in Guwahati
Viral video flags 12 unknown voters; probe finds names added in 2014 and 2015 supplementary electoral rolls
A police official assists people waiting in a queue to cast votes at a polling station at Bonda, in Guwahati. (Photo:PTI)
Guwahati, Apr 9: As polling progresses across Assam, voter turnout has reached 38.98% till 11 am, even as the Kamrup (Metro) district administration clarified over alleged “multiple voters listed under same address” in Guwahati, as addressed by a citizen on social media.
The clarification came in response to a video posted by one Nilakshi Sharma, a resident of Ward No. 37 in the New Guwahati constituency.
In the video uploaded on Wednesday evening, she stated that 12 unknown individuals had been listed as voters at her residential address, House No. 33, despite only four legitimate voters residing there.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the district administration initiated a preliminary inquiry and released its findings, detailing the inclusion history of the names in question.
According to the official notification, multiple individuals were added to the electoral roll in the 2014 supplementary list and another seven in 2015, all under polling stations linked to the 53 Gauhati East Legislative Assembly constituency.
The administration clarified that these entries were not recent additions.
It further stated that no fresh applications for inclusion, deletion or correction of these names had been submitted during the ongoing election cycle.
“No new Form 6, Form 7 or Form 8 has been submitted in respect of the names mentioned above,” the notification said.
The administration also noted that verification carried out by the Booth Level Officer (BLO) confirmed that the individuals listed, including Tek Bahadur Chetri and Don Ayengia, are long-time residents of the area, and their addresses have been duly verified.
Replying to Kamrup (M) district administration's clarification, Nilakshi shared another video where she said, “From the reply, I understand that Don Ayengia and some others were traced based on 2015 records. After my video went viral, I received several calls saying that Don Ayengia resides in House No. 3. My husband also visited and met the family. However, I am not aware of the other names, as House No. 33, which belongs to my father-in-law, has never had tenants. My husband grew up there, so I do not understand how these names are linked to our address."
She also thanked the district administration for their prompt response. “I thank the district administration and election officials for taking prompt action despite their busy schedule,” she added.
Polling in the state is underway, with authorities maintaining that due process has been followed to ensure the integrity of the electoral rolls.