‘We need IDs in case something happens’: For Delhi’s homeless, a fight to stay on voter rolls

On a typical Wednesday evening at the Sarai Kale Khan night shelter in Delhi, workers and families rested after a day of labor. However, a special voter camp was taking place, run by five Booth Level Officers (BLOs) from 5 pm to 9 pm. These BLOs, including teachers and bank officials, helped residents prove their eligibility to stay on the electoral roll.

Among the attendees was Meena Devi, a 40-year-old sweeper who had not provided the required details to link herself to the previous rolls and was facing a hearing on September 14. She feared that if she couldn't attend, someone might falsely accuse her of being from Bangladesh. Another resident, Gudia, 30, feared she might be deleted from the rolls because she had not received the enumeration form.

Both Meena and Gudia faced the risk of being removed from the shelter if their names were deleted. Despite the challenges, many residents, such as Shyam Kumar, 30, were eager to obtain a Voter ID. Kumar, who uses a walker following a road accident during the Covid-19 pandemic, hoped to support Prime Minister Modi after witnessing his road and railway projects.