Newz Desk, Durgapur:
Q: Many people are facing problems logging into the Commission’s website from abroad. What should they do?
A: According to the Commission, this problem existed initially. It has now been resolved.
Q: Someone grew up in an orphanage. His wife too. Their names were not on the 2002 voter list. What should they do?
A: The information on the current voter card will be considered valid.
Q: Who will provide the documents for those staying in old-age homes?
A: The information on the current voter card will be considered valid.
Q: How will the names of those living on the streets, stations or bus stands be included?
A: The information on the current voter card will be considered valid. More details will be available after December 9.
Q: Are statements made on YouTube or at press conferences considered official? If written instructions are issued, where can people find copies?
A: If anyone from the Commission holds a press conference through such platforms, it is officially provided. If written instructions are issued, copies remain with the Commission as well as with all district administration officials involved in the process.
Q: Who is the officially declared spokesperson of the Election Commission? Are his statements final? Can he add or remove anything without a written order?
A: In the state, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) acts on behalf of the Commission. If any information needs to be conveyed to the media, he does so. Otherwise, the Chief Election Commissioner of the country and the other two Election Commissioners provide the information. Every decision or directive is accompanied by a written order.
Q: The form asks for a mobile number. Will it be linked to the voter card?
A: While applying online, the mobile number has to be linked beforehand. So, it can be assumed that the number will be connected to the voter card.
Q: Can a single number be used as the phone number for all voters in a family?
A: According to the Commission, the form allows that. In some cases, one or two common phone numbers are seen. But for online applications, a single specific phone number must be used each time.
Q: When was the official gazette for the SIR (Special Summary Revision) in West Bengal published?
A: With the announcement of the SIR in the state, the National Election Commissioner published a formal notification.
Q: The father’s name appears in the 2002 list, but the person’s own name does not. Aadhaar card and voter card both show the husband’s name as ‘guardian’. Education up to Class VIII. What document can establish the link to the father’s name?
A: In the SIR section of the form, mentioning the father’s name and EPIC number will be sufficient.
Q: Personal details like one’s own, father’s and mother’s name, date of birth, phone number and Aadhaar number are being collected. If hackers get hold of this, won’t online fraud become easier? During the Aadhaar process, information of 13 crore people was leaked.
A: The Commission says all such data will remain within the Commission’s database. It is stored in the state data centre. The Commission does not share this information anywhere, so it cannot be obtained from there.
Q: How many times has the BLO (Booth Level Officer) app changed? And why?
A: According to the Commission, it was updated twice to facilitate editing of photos and information for the convenience of BLOs and for accurate voter identification.
Q: First it was said that forms cannot be submitted for deceased persons. Then it was said they can be. Why four different instructions at four different times?
A: Because many deceased persons’ names still remain on the voter list, forms for all were printed. Often voters do not inform the Commission about their deceased relatives or request deletion of their names. Political parties’ booth-level agents are also supposed to handle this in their areas but often do not. As a result, it’s impossible to detect how many printed forms belong to deceased persons. So when forms are delivered, ‘deceased’ is written on them, signed, and submitted along with the death certificate. However, many BLOs are using different methods.
Q: Why so many errors, especially in the spelling of Muslim names?
A: According to the Commission, such issues will not cause problems. Most people’s names have spelling discrepancies. All cases will be reviewed carefully and considered thoughtfully.
(Ends)
Image courtesy@internet / Reference ABP
