Jammu administration rescinds order on registration of new voters

Jammu administration rescinds order on registration of new voters

Context:

• A day after issuing the order on enrolling new voters, sparking a political row in the Union Territory, Jammu district authorities have withdrawn the direction authorising tehsildars or revenue officials to issue certificate of residence to people residing in the district for more than a year to enable their registration as voters.

Why was the order given:

• The order was issued by Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer for Jammu, AvnyLavasa.
• It was issued to benefit people residing in a particular tehsil of Jammu district for more than a year and who lacked any documentary proof of residence to get registered as voters in the ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls in Jammu and Kashmir.

What documents were required for the registration:

• ECI prescribed various documents that could be accepted as proof of residence.
  • It include water, electricity or gas connection for at least one year;
  • Aadhaar card 
  • Current passbook of any nationalized/scheduled bank or post office;
  • Indian passport.
  • Revenue Department’s land-owning record including kisan bahi.
  • Registered rent/lease deed in case of tenants.
  • Registered sale deed if the person concerned owns the house.

The guidelines also stated that in case none of the above mentioned documents is available field verification is must. Which will be done by field verification officer appointed by the electoral registration officer.