3.3.1. Disqualifications for registration in an electoral roll

A person shall be disqualified for registration in an electoral roll if he:

(a) is not a citizen of India; or

(b) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or

(c) is for the time being disqualified from voting under the provisions of any law relating to corrupt practices and other offences in connection with elections.

The name of any person who becomes so disqualified after registration is struck off the electoral roll in which it is included. It is important to note that a person shall not be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll for more than one constituency. Furthermore, no person shall be entitled to be registered in the electoral roll for any constituency more than once.

3.3.2. Correction of entries in electoral rolls

The electoral registration officer for a constituency can demand an amendment, transposition or deletion of an entry on an electoral roll. He can do that on the basis of an application made to him or on his own motion. Such an application is to be followed by an inquiry, at the end of which if he is satisfied that any entry in the electoral roll of the constituency:

(a) is erroneous or defective in any particular,

(b) should be transposed to another place in the roll on the ground that the person concerned has changed his place of ordinary residence within the constituency, or

(c) should be deleted on the ground that the person concerned is dead or has ceased to be ordinarily resident in the constituency or is otherwise not entitled to be registered in that roll

However, the electoral registration officer shall give a reasonable opportunity, to the person concerned, of being heard before taking any action in relation to him.

3.3.3. Inclusion of names in electoral rolls

Any person whose name is not included in the electoral roll of a constituency may apply to the electoral registration officer for the inclusion of his name in that roll. The electoral registration officer shall direct his name to be included, if he is satisfied that the applicant is entitled to be registered in the electoral roll.

If the applicant is registered in the electoral roll of any other constituency, the electoral registration officer shall inform the electoral registration officer of that other constituency and that officer shall, on receipt of the information, strike off the applicant's name from that roll.

It is to be remembered that no amendment, transposition, deletion or inclusion of an entry can be made to an electoral roll:

i. after the last date for making nominations for an election in that constituency or in the parliamentary constituency within which that constituency is comprised; and

ii. before the completion of that election.