Express imapct: Jharkhand poll authorities order probe into voter deletion forms

The Godda district election authorities in Jharkhand have requested a report and launched an investigation into the submission of voter deletion forms, following allegations raised by The Indian Express. District Election Officer Sriman Marandi revealed that Deputy Election Officer had sought the report, and a Block Panchayati Raj Officer was dispatched to Maheshtikri village to conduct a field inquiry.

The inquiry focuses specifically on Booth No. 9, where 25 Form 7 applications were filed by BJP Block Level Agents against voters, mostly belonging to the minority community. Eight of the affected voters expressed concerns of disenfranchisement and exclusion from government schemes. Initially, BLOs were instructed not to act on the forms, but Marandi clarified that they should discuss any doubts with the election official. The administration will await the final inquiry report before taking further action.