(a) whether the Government is aware that a large number of homeless persons who have no proof of residence are not eligible to vote in elections in the country;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether the Government proposes to make such persons eligible for voting in the country; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(SHRI D.V. SADANANDA GOWDA)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPY TO THE PART (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3130 FOR 17 DECEMBER, 2015.
(a) to (d): As per section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, every person who is ordinarily resident in a constituency, is entitled to be registered in the Electoral Roll for that constituency. Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) may ask for any one of the following documents alongside Form 6 from the applicant as proof of ordinary residence for disposal of applicant claim for registration in the electoral roll:
(i) Bank/Kisan/Post Office current Pass Book; or
(ii) Ration Card; or
(iii) Passport; or
(iv) Driving License; or
(v) Income Tax Assessment Order; or
(vi) Latest Rent Agreement; or
(vii) Latest Water/Telephone/Electricity/Gas Connection Bill for that address, either in the name of the applicant or that of his/her immediate relation like parents etc.; or
(viii) Any post/letter/mail delivered through Indian Postal Department in the applicant’s name at the address of ordinary residence.
2. Further, the Election Commission has informed that being homeless is not a disqualification for enrollment. The Commission has endeavored to enroll each and every Indian citizen, who is otherwise eligible for enrollment in electoral roll. In all such cases where a homeless applicant does not possess any proof of ordinary residence, mentioned above, Booth Level Officers have specifically been directed to physically verify the ordinary residence by visiting the address given in Form 6 at night to ascertain that the concerned homeless person actually sleeps at the given place in the Form.