Human Rights India: APPEAL TO PEOPLE IN GUJARAT TO REGISTER AS A VOTER

Dear Friends

Kindly find herewith a communication from the Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat Ms Anita Karwal

The contents are self-explanatory

Just in case you are NOT a registered voter please ensure that you do so within the given time frame

Please also help the poor and marginalised register themselves

Spread the word around

Thanks

warm wishes

Fr Cedric

Fr. Cedric Prakash sj

Director

"PRASHANT" (A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace)
Hill Nagar, Near Kamdhenu Hall, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad - 380052,Gujarat, INDIA
Tel :+91 (0)79-27455913/66522333

Cell : 9824034536

Fax:+91 (0)79-27489018

Blog: www.humanrightsindia.in

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Anita Karwal <anitakarwaloffice@gmail.com>
Date: 10 October 2014 15:04
Subject: appeal to register as a voter - please spread the word

Dear Friends/Colleagues/ Government Employees/ Bankers/ Members of Corporate bodies/ Friends from Media/ Office-bearers of CSOs, RWAs, etc.

You may be aware that to be able to participate in any election you have to first ensure that you are registered on the Rolls as an ‘elector’. Electoral Rolls are updated every year. This year we shall be taking your Claims and Objections (or application Forms) from 15^th October to 10^th November, 2014. In this regard, I am making this personal appeal to ensure that you, your eligible family members, your eligible office staff, your eligible friends and neighbours, etc. all understand the process of registration and take advantage of it. Through this e mail, I hope to enlist you as a partner of the Election Commission of India for ensuring complete participation in democracy by fellow citizens. Here is what you have to do:

Even if you ‘think’ or 'know' that your name is there in the Rolls and also possess an Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC), even then FIRST OF ALL do check your name in the Rolls by:

· Calling Toll free Helpline number 1950 from any landline or mobile on any working day during office hours, or

· Searching online on www.ceogujarat.nic.in, or

· Sending SMS – “epic <space> your EPIC number” - to 8511199899 (EPIC stands for Electors Photo Identity Card commonly known as Voter ID Card), or

· Visiting any Matdar Suvidha Kendra in any Collector’s Office, or visiting the Mamlatdar’s office, or

· Visiting any e-gram center in the state, or

· Checking with your Booth level Officer (BLO). Your BLOs details are available on our website. You can also get his/her details by sending sms – “Blo <space> your Epic number”- to 8511199899

Remember, mere possession of an EPIC/Voter ID card does not enable you to cast your vote on poll day. It is not a guarantee of franchise. It is necessary that your name should figure in the Electoral Rolls.

In case you find that your name is not there in the Rolls, do not despair. You simply have to fill up the relevant Form.

There are four kinds of Forms that you need to know about (they are attached in English and Gujarati below and you can use their print-outs):

· Form-6: this form is for registering your name in the rolls

· Form-7: this form is for deleting names from rolls for the reason of death, migration, marriage and shifting, etc.

· Form-8: this form is for those who find that their names are registered, but certain details need to be corrected (such as name spelling, address spelling, age, etc.)

· Form-8A: this is for those electors who wish to change their address from one Polling Station area to another, both located within the same Assembly Constituency.

4. The age criterion for registration this time is that the applicant must have completed the age of 18 years on or before 1st January, 2015. In other words, the applicant must have been born on or before 01.01.97.

So, if you find that you are not registered, or if you want to register as you have just become eligible, then you may:

· Take a print out of the attached Form-6 from this e-mail, fill it up, attach requisite proof of age and residence, attach latest photograph and deposit it at the nearest Matdar Suvidha Kendra in Collector's Office or hand over to your Booth level Officer (BLO). Do NOT forget to take a receipt of your application. Do not forget to mention your Mobile number, email ID if you have one and Aadhar card number.

· Or apply online on www.ceogujarat.nic.in in Form -6, or

· Visit the Matdar Suvidha Kendra and take hard copy of application Form-6, fill it up and submit at the Kendra itself, or

· Visit any e-gram center in the state from 15^th October to 10^th November, 2014 and apply online through the center on nominal payment of Rs. 10, or

· Meet your BLO at your nearest Polling Station in person on 19^th October and 2^nd November, 2014 between 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. S/he will remain available there on these dates with blank Forms and copy of electoral rolls for your convenience.

· Or take guidance from our helpline number 1950 on any working day during office hours.

Once you do submit your application, do not forget to take a receipt of having submitted your application.

For contacting your Booth Level Officer (there is one for each Polling Booth) you may either:

· Call Helpline number 1950 from landline or mobile on any working day during office hours and obtain her/his details, or

· If you possess a valid EPIC, send an SMS to 8511199899 - “blo <space> your EPIC number”, or

· If you know your Polling Station, go to the icon “Information linked to Polling Station maps” on Election Commission of India’s website – www.eci.nic.in – and see details of BLOs on the GIS map of your Polling Station, or

· Search your BLO on www.ceogujarat.nic.in, or

If you are a college going student, there are special facilities for you in your colleges. One person from your college administration has been trained by the election machinery to facilitate you. He is the Designated Officer for this purpose. Check out his contact details on the “Youth Corner” on www.ceogujarat.nic.in or simply ask your institution’s management. Several Colleges also have a Campus Ambassador appointed by ECI. You may contact them too.

Remember that those who apply for registration now will see their names in the Rolls (including online on www.ceogujarat.nic.in) only on or after 5th January, 2015 and as a consequence will receive their EPIC (cards) within 30 days after the said date.

You will be able to track the status of your application online by going to the icon “Electoral Rolls - List of application forms” on the Home page of our website www.ceogujarat.nic.in.

Please also note that the present window for submitting applications is only from 15^th October to 10^th November, 2014. If you miss this period, then you can apply from 6^th January, 2015 onwards at any time.

In case of any further queries regarding electoral rolls please call our Helpline number 1950. And in case of any complaints/issues, feel free to e mail to me at ceo_gujarat@eci.gov.in or call me at 079-23250318 (office), or call the Collector of your concerned District as s/he happens to be the District Election Officer and therefore represents the Election Commission of India at the District level as I do at the State level.

ANITA KARWAL

PRINCIPAL SECRETARY &

CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER,

GUJARAT STATE.