Delimitation may hit many voters

ALLAHABAD : Allahabad Nagar Nigam’s (ANN) recent delimitation in 80 wards in five zones of Allahabad may end up depriving thousands from voting in the forthcoming civic polls.

Reason: In the exercise, the limit of wards has either been reduced or increased, shifting the wards of many residents, about which they are completely in dark.

The ANN authorities claimed that the exercise was undertaken with all care keeping the convenience of voters/residents in mind. But voters/residents are not satisfied with this claim.

“This is not true as the limits of several wards have either been reduced or increased in the fresh exercise of delimitation. This has changed the current address of residents who are now confused over their current location and fear that the change will deprive them of voting in the civic election,” shared senior corporator Shiv Sewak Singh.

“This is a matter of utter negligence and needs proper investigation,” he added and expressed resentment over the poor implementation of the exercise.

According to him, residents of several localities including Daraganj, Alopibagh, Myorabad, Mumfordganj, Mutthiganj, Katghar, Dariyabad, Beniganj, Karelabagh, Kydganj, Bai Ka Bagh and Madhwapur among others had also raised objection over it and appealed to officials concerned to do the needful, but to no avail.

Kydganj area corporator Kiran Jaiswal also expressed similar views, adding that the exercise could lead to removal of names of thousands of residents from the voters’ lists, which were expected to be released on November 15.

“But we will do our best to ensure that residents do not get deprived of their voting rights,” she added.

Mayor Abhilasha Gupta said she had also received several complaints over irregularities in fixing the limits of wards and had instructed the municipal commissioner to address the grievances.

Municipal commissioner Harikesh Chaurasia admitted that there were some issues with the delimitation of wards. But all of them had been addressed now after receiving complaints/objections from residents, he added.

Chaurasia said updated voters’ lists would be uploaded on State Election Commission’s website, through which any resident would be able to find out his exact ward as well as where he/ she is to vote well in time.