Chandigarh, March 5: Taking cognizance of the complaint received from one of the electors highlighting the prevalence of unconstitutional and darogatory words such as ‘Harijan’ and ‘Girijan’ in the Photo Electoral Roll, Dr. S. Karuna Raju, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Punjab directed all the 22 Deputy Commissioners – cum – District Election Officers and 117 Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) to take corrective measures.
Dr. Raju further said that matter was also brought to the attention of Chief Secretary Punjab who also passed necessary directions to concerned authorities for take the necessary action to ensure compliance of the extant instructions of Government of Punjab as well as Government of India in this regard.
He said this exercise required replacement of unconstitutional and derogatory words such as ‘Harijan Basti’ with the proper name of the village/name of the habitation/name of the part village and needed ascribing new names wherever it was required.
After the instructions of Dr. Raju District Electoral officer Gurdaspur taken corrective measures by replacing name of the polling station “Harijan Colony” in the Dinanagar Assembly Constituency of Gurdaspur district to “Part No. 108, Sec No 7, Ward No 5, Dinanagar. Likewise, the polling station “Government Elementary School, Harijan Basti” in Nabha, Patiala district was changed as “Government Elementary School, Borha Gate”. This constitution based approach to democracy with feedback from enlightened citizenry helps strengthen democracy.
Appreciating District Authorities prompt action..CEO Dr Raju appealed to the all Voters,political parties, NGOs Civil Societiey Organaisations, to bring any such names if existing to the notice of the Office of Chief Electoral officer, Punjab.
CEO office will ensure prompt corrective measures he further added