(a) the total number of `D` voters in Assam, religion-wise ;
(b) the criteria fixed for making `D` voters ;
(c) whether the citizenship of the `D` voters has not been verified for more than
twenty years depriving the Indian citizens among the `D` voters of their political
rights; and
(d) if so, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)
(a) to (d): A statement is annexed.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTATTED QUESTION
NO. 1023 FOR 6.3.2007 RAISED BY SHRI ANWAR HUSSAIN REGARDING ‘D’ VOTERS
IN ASSAM
(a): As per available information, in the State of Assam, there were 1,59,513 ‘D’ voters
in 2006. No religion wise break-up of ‘D’ voters is maintained.
(b) to (d): The concept of ‘D’ voters in Assam was introduced from the intensive
Revision of Electoral Rolls 1997 with reference to 1.1.1997 as qualifying date. The
names of the persons whose Indian citizenship is doubtful/disputed and whose
cases have been refereed to the Tribunals for the determination of their citizenship
status. In those cases where final decision of the Tribunals has not been received
are provisionally included in the electoral rolls but the word ‘D’ is indicated against
such name in the relevant portion of the electoral roll. After the receipt of the final
decision from the concerned Tribunal, the concerned Electoral Registration Officers
(EROs) shall either delete or allow to remain the name of such persons from or in the
electoral rolls. The determination of citizenship status by the Tribunals is a continuous
process and it is, therefore, not a fact that the citizenship of ‘D’ voters has not been
verified for more than 20 years.