Maharashtra SEC Orders Local Checks on Suspected Duplicate Voters, Says VVPAT Not Possible Now

Overview

• Suspected duplicate entries in draft or final local-body rolls will be flagged with a double asterisk and verified locally by checking name, gender, address and photograph.
• Voters confirmed with multiple entries must submit a prescribed declaration naming the exact ward or polling station where they will vote, and they will be barred from voting elsewhere.
• If a marked voter does not respond before polling, officials will take a written undertaking at the booth affirming no vote was cast elsewhere and will allow voting only after strict identity checks.
• The SEC says it cannot delete names because local voter lists are sourced from Assembly rolls prepared by the Election Commission of India without altering original details.
• VVPAT use is ruled out for current local polls due to the absence of legal provisions and the multi-member ward format, with a national TEC studying VVPAT-capable machines and a final report still pending as opposition parties plan a Nov. 1 protest.