Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 02 August 2022
On 1st August 2022 a meeting was held in the conference hall of the Secretariat to discuss & launch the programme of collection of Aadhaar data from electors on a voluntary basis for linking and authentication of electoral roll data and preparation of electoral roll with reference to the four qualifying dates i.e 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October.
Chairing the meeting, the Chief Electoral Officer, A&N Islands, Mr. Binay Bhushan informed that as per the directions of the Election Commission of India, the collection of Aadhaar data from electors on a voluntary basis for linking and authentication of electoral roll data and preparation of electoral roll will be carried out in A&N Islands Parliamentary Constituency. The linking of Aadhaar data on a voluntary basis in electoral roll will further strengthen our election system and enable the Election Machinery to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in A&N Islands, he said.
Recognising the important role played by the BLOs in the preparation of electoral roll, the CEO underlined the need for proper training of all the BLOs for the smooth preparation of electoral roll by linking Aadhaar data. The CEO further stated that the Election Officials must ensure that the BLOs appointed/engaged in their respective areas move door to door to collect Aadhaar data without fail. He said officials engaged in the preparation of the electoral roll must be well versed with the new apps being introduced by the ECI from time to time.
The CEO further urged for creating adequate awareness about the linking of Aadhaar data on a voluntary basis in electoral roll among the voters.
The Joint CEO, A&N Islands, Mr. Hari Kallikkat, the Electoral Registration Officer, Mr. Ankit Yadav, AEROs, representatives of Political Parties and Officials of the Election Department were present in the meeting. The AEROs of Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Nancowry & Campbell Bay joined the meeting through video conference.
A new Form-6B has also been introduced for collecting the Aadhaar number of existing electors. However, no application for inclusion of name in electoral roll shall be denied and no entries in electoral roll shall be deleted for the inability of an individual to furnish or intimate Aadhaar Number. A time-bound drive is being started w.e.f. 01.08.2022 for collection of Aadhaar numbers of the existing electors. Furnishing of Aadhaar numbers is purely voluntary.