Several people in various polling stations reported that they were disappointed that their names were not listed in the electoral roll for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Some of the cases were under the Laban constituency in one of the polling stations.
The voters (who preferred to remain unnamed) had never thought that their names would not be in the list as they had exercised their franchise in both the recent Parliamentary and State Assembly elections.
When asked about this problem, the Commissioner and Secretary of District Council Affairs Department, Cyril VD Diengdoh told the Highland Post that the electoral rolls for the Autonomous District Councils prepared under the Rule 129 (1) of the Assam and Meghalaya Autonomous District (Constitution of District Councils) Rule 1951 (Parts I, II & III), as amended by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
The Draft electoral roll was opened for public inspection from January to January 24 during which claims and objections could be put forward. The final Rolls were published on January 27.
According to the Rule the electoral roll for the Assembly and MP elections is the basis of the electoral roll for the district council elections wherever the constituencies cover the same geographical locations. This is according to section 129 (2).
The Rule 151 under Chapter II Franchise-Electoral Rolls provides the basis for a person to be in the voters list. With the context of 151 when investigated as to why some people who were already voters in previous elections were dropped from the council electoral rolls in the elections, it is clear that there is no reason for their names to be deleted from the list and appears to be arbitrary.
According to experts it is also mandatory that the persons who find their names struck off the electoral roll be given an explanation for this arbitrary act against their right to vote.
