Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Alleges 100,000 Missing Voter Names, Demands Repoll in Coimbatore

K. Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP president and candidate for Coimbatore, alleged that nearly 100,000 voter names were missing from the electoral rolls in Coimbatore during the Lok Sabha polls on April 19, 2024. Annamalai demanded a repoll in the affected areas, claiming there were several discrepancies in the voter list.

According to Annamalai, voters from the same family were assigned to different and faraway polling booths, and the names of 830 persons were missing at a single polling booth. He cited specific instances, such as 850 names missing at the Angappa School polling station and 200 names missing at a polling station in Theppakulam.

The BJP leader alleged that the missing names were a case of "planned and mass-scale deletion" and suspected political interference. "If the names of more than one lakh votes have been lost, it casts doubt on whether the Election Commission has done its duty in a free and fair manner," Annamalai said.

Annamalai claimed that voters who traditionally support the BJP were denied their right to vote. He also criticized the Election Commission for not providing transportation for senior citizens to vote and a general lack of readiness. The BJP staged a dharna at a polling station in Goundampalayam, Coimbatore, alleging that the votes of 830 people were missing from the voter list compared to the previous local government election.

Why this matters: The allegations of missing voter names and discrepancies in the electoral rolls raise concerns about the integrity of the democratic process. If a significant number of eligible voters are denied their right to vote, it could potentially impact the election outcome and undermine public trust in the electoral system.

The Returning Officer for the Coimbatore Parliamentary Constituency, Kranthi Kumar Pati, acknowledged that changes take place in the electoral rolls and stated that if there were any specific instances of voter deletion, they could look into it. Annamalai submitted complaints to the district election returning officer and the district election observer, demanding a repoll in the booths where a large number of voter names were missing.

Key Takeaways

• BJP leader Annamalai alleges 100,000 voter names missing in Coimbatore polls.
• Voters from same family assigned to different polling booths, 830 names missing.
• Annamalai claims "planned and mass-scale deletion" of voter names, suspects political interference.
• BJP demands re-poll in affected areas, cites lack of transport for senior citizens.
• Returning Officer acknowledges changes in rolls, says will look into specific instances.