The Chakma Development Foundation of India (CDFI) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to intervene over objections raised against at least 1,292 Chakma electors in four Assembly constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to the CDFI, objections have been raised against 413 voters in Bordumsa-Diyum, 49 in Miao, 774 in Doimukh and 56 in Chowkham constituencies, with the objectors allegedly claiming that the voters are not Indian citizens.
The organisation has also sought deployment of ECI observers and central security forces during the hearings scheduled from September 2 at Diyun and Bordumsa, citing concerns over the safety of Chakma voters.
CDFI founder Suhas Chakma alleged that some individuals had filed objections against multiple Chakma electors despite allegedly not knowing them personally. He said the citizenship status of Chakmas by birth had already been addressed through several court judgments and Election Commission orders.
The CDFI also alleged that objections against 41 Chakma voters in Part 41-Moitripur under the Bordumsa-Diyum constituency were accepted on August 22, two days after the prescribed deadline of August 20 had expired. The organisation described this as a violation of the prescribed procedure.
The foundation referred to an Election Commission order of March 3, 2004, which had stated that exclusion of eligible Chakma voters from electoral rolls on the basis of their tribal identity would violate Article 325 of the Constitution.
The CDFI expressed concern that the ongoing hearings could lead to intimidation or violence against Chakma voters, particularly in view of the formation of a committee by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on July 14 to examine the removal of alleged non-citizens from electoral rolls.
The organisation cited a 1996 Supreme Court judgment directing the deployment of central security forces to protect the life and personal liberty of Chakmas residing in Arunachal Pradesh.
The CDFI has urged the ECI to reject objections filed after the prescribed deadline, appoint independent observers to monitor the hearings, ensure that every objection is examined individually and strictly according to law, and prevent any person or organisation from interfering with the statutory verification process.
It has also requested the Union and state governments to deploy central security forces during the hearings to ensure that Chakmas and Hajongs are not subjected to intimidation, coercion or undue influence.
