New Delhi, Sep 29 (KNS): The Election Commission on Tuesday clarified that 727 of the 728 voters cited by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in connection with Bela Estate, a settlement along the Yamuna in Delhi, were placed on the ASDD (absent, shifted, dead or duplicate) list during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Gandhi had alleged that only one of 728 people living in the area remained on the voter list, calling the exercise “vote chori”. The Election Commission said most of the electors had addresses recorded as “agriculture” and that the area’s residential status changed after agricultural activities were discontinued in 2021 and dwelling units were demolished during 2022-23. Booth-level officers consequently placed the names on the ASDD list as per SIR instructions, it said.

The poll panel said eligible persons whose names are not on the electoral roll can apply for inclusion under Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelApplications for inclusion in the final electoral roll can be filed till September 30, while the final list is scheduled to be published on November 4.

The EC also said voters can use Form 6 for new enrolment, Form 7 for objections or deletion requests and Form 8 for shifting of residence, correction of details and replacement of EPIC cards. Applications can be submitted to electoral registration officials, assistant electoral registration officers, booth-level officers or designated polling stations.

Gandhi had said the residents had been living in the area for decades and had voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Delhi Assembly elections. He also questioned the deletion of their names despite their continuing presence in the area.

The Election Commission, meanwhile, said all orders related to the SIR process had received the unanimous approval of its three commissioners. It also said changes to Form 6 relating to voter enrolment had been upheld by the Supreme Court. (KNS)