Chandigarh, March 5: Taking cognizance of the complaintreceived from one of the electors highlighting the prevalence ofunconstitutional and darogatory words such as ‘Harijan’ and ‘Girijan’ in thePhoto 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 theattention of Chief Secretary Punjab who also passed necessary directions toconcerned authorities for take the necessary action to ensure compliance of theextant instructions of Government of Punjab as well as Government of India in this regard.
He said this exercise required replacement ofunconstitutional and derogatory words such as ‘Harijan Basti’ with the propername of the village/name of the habitation/name of the part village and neededascribing new names wherever it was required.
After the instructions of Dr. Raju District Electoralofficer Gurdaspur taken correctivemeasures by replacing name of the polling station “Harijan Colony” in theDinanagar Assembly Constituency of Gurdaspur district to “Part No. 108, Sec No7, Ward No 5, Dinanagar. Likewise, the polling station “Government ElementarySchool, Harijan Basti” in Nabha, Patiala district was changed as “GovernmentElementary School, Borha Gate”. This constitution based approach to democracywith feedback from enlightened citizenry helps strengthen democracy.
Appreciating District Authorities prompt action..CEO Dr Rajuappealed to the all Voters,political parties, NGOs Civil SocietieyOrganaisations, to bring any such names if existing to the notice of the Officeof Chief Electoral officer, Punjab.
CEO office will ensure prompt corrective measures he furtheradded
