Letter.No.2
ELECTORAL ROLLS AND ELECTIONS

1. In a democratic set up elections are essential
2. For conduct of any election whether for center or .state or local bodies and for that matter for any
institution or organisation whose affairs are managed by an elected body, a correct and updated
electoral role is essential.
3. At present the updating of electoral rolls, addition deletion etc., etc., work related to electoral rolls
are not satisfactory and it is amply proved with the muddle of issue of photo identity cards and
complaints of large scale missing of names of voters from the electoral rolls. This unsatisfactory
condition is because the electoral rolls work is entrusted to the revenue department and collectorate
staff who does not seem to be paying that amount of attention that this work requires. - mostly
carried out with the help of the elementary school teachers of the local municipality or local body.

The following suggestions are made with the hope that when implemented may remove most of the irregularities.
1.Electoral roll revision should be a perennial function with separate staff. Staff
strength may be increased to cope up with extra work during actual elections.
2. Application for inclusion and exclusion of names and issue of transfer certificates
should be entertained all through the year and necessary forms provided to apply for
such change
3.Every citizens name should always be there in one place or other and if one prefers in a
permanent place it can be entertained and residential qualification in that place
need not be insisted upon.
4. 4 Photo identity cards should be issued on the spot just as is done for driving license.
Issue of photo identity cards should not be a one time affair and the card should be
revised and reissued once in 5 years or at ages 18, 25,30,35.40, 50,60, 7
5.Any time if any person wants a certificate, it should be issued certifying about the
presence of his Name in the electoral rolls with details of serial number ward taluk
district and state and the date on which such entry was made in the electoral rolls.
6.Eectoral rolls and family cards work can be combined and one should be a check
on the other and entries tallied. Birth and death registers (particularly for deaths) can also be taken
into account for any verification required. Where required certificates from the employers in
respect of employees and income tax officers in case of assessees can also be obtained but need
not be mandatory. Census records also can help
7.Election officers of a state should entirely be the staff under the control of the
Election Commission and of the Election Commission, and not of the state. The state Should give
all assisstance and additional staff as and when required, but under the Control of the Eelection
Commission during the conduct of an election

A thorough house to house check and verification be made just before every election
and the services of retired person in the age group of 60 to 70 years may be taken ­irrespective of any walk of life - provided they are in fair and good health and willing to serve

A correct electoral only will ensure fair elections

K.S.Narayanaswamy