Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Electoral Officer C. Sudharsan Reddy warned of legal action against false declarations during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He said people making false statements in voter-related forms could face prosecution under election laws.
The warning covers filings through Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8. Meanwhile, election authorities are focusing on a rise in bulk applications submitted through Form 7.
Form 7 deals with objections to voter inclusions and requests for deletion from electoral rolls. The CEO said authorities suspected that several bulk requests were not genuine.
Reddy issued the directions through a memo addressed to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Commissioner. He also sent it to the Hyderabad District Election Officer and all District Collectors.
The CEO instructed field officers to enforce the applicable legal provisions. Officials were directed to take action against applicants found to have submitted false statements.
Applicants found guilty of making false declarations could face action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The provision carries penalties that include imprisonment.
However, the CEO said authorities must follow the prescribed inquiry process before starting criminal proceedings. Local officials must first complete an inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
Fake voter form filings face mandatory inquiry
The directions place particular emphasis on suspected bulk Form 7 applications. Authorities are required to examine such filings before deciding whether further legal action is warranted.
According to the CEO’s instructions, the inquiry under Rule 20 must precede proceedings under Section 31. This requirement applies before authorities initiate prosecution against applicants accused of false declarations.
The warning comes during the ongoing revision of electoral rolls in Telangana. Officials are examining applications submitted through several prescribed forms as part of the process.
Reddy’s memo called for strict enforcement by field officers across the jurisdiction. It also highlighted the need to follow the mandatory inquiry procedure before initiating legal proceedings.
The CEO’s directions cover the GHMC Commissioner, Hyderabad DEO and District Collectors. The officials have been asked to ensure compliance while processing voter-related applications.