Non-tribals may be barred from voting

Aizawl, October 23, 2014: Non-tribals other than Gorkhali, as of now, are eligible to cast their votes in the election to the Local Council (LC) in Aizawl. However, the State Election Commission (SEC) is now taking steps to exclude non-tribals from the voting process in the next local council election due early next year, SEC secretary H Darzika said.

H Darzika further informed that the draft for the law that will exclude the non-tribals from exercising their franchise in local council polls has been sent to the Law and Judicial department.

The SEC secretary also said that the final Assembly electoral roll, for which revision is going on, shall not be used for next the VC/LC election next year. “It shall be used only for the draft roll,” he clarified.

H Darzika further said that SEC has also discussed the matter regarding the use of Assembly electoral roll for the draft roll for LC election with political parties. “Since a huge amount of money is required for the roll revision, the use of Assembly electoral roll for the draft roll will save money,” he added.

As per SEC secretary, after finalization of the Assembly electoral roll, it shall be sent to all the polling stations, and the names of non-tribal not eligible for voting in the local council elections, shall be deleted.

Source: Assam Tribune