Mumbai: Only 6 lakh electors have applied to be on the voter list of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Maharashtra over the last one month even though the draft roll had excluded 2 crore voters. Of these 1.5 crore were recorded as absent or shifted in the draft list, and it is this category which was expected to re-apply. The figure also includes applications from first-time voters.Now, with the SC pointing out that it did not approve the modified voter application form (Form 6), officials from the chief electoral office in Maharashtra are waiting for the EC to respond and see if it cancels the modified form.If the modified form is cancelled, the number of applications could rise, officials feel. The modified form requires a declaration providing the details of the applicant or his relative in the previous SIR of 2002-03. Hence the applicant has to be mapped to the voter list of 2002-03.“It is possible that prospective applicants who did not have proof of their names being mapped to the 2002-03 voters list did not re-apply to the voter list or register as first-time voters. If this declaration is removed, it is possible that they may apply,” said a senior official. The deadline for the application process ends on Oct 12 in the state.The number of applications is low primarily because of migration, which may have resulted in electors leaving the state. Also, the lack of an impending election may have led to political parties pushing less to get voters to fill application forms, officials said.Data shows that in the last one month, 6,04,871 voter applications were received for the ongoing SIR in the state. Constituencies with the highest applications include Malegaon Central in Nashik (8,458), Jalgaon City (6,782), Shirur in Pune district (6,239), Karad North in Satara (5,827) and Mumbra Kalwa in Thane (5,555). The lowest voter applications are from Alibag in Raigad (490), Kudal in Sindhudurg (512), Aheri in Gadchiroli (549), Nawapur in Nandurbar (614) and Kalwan in Nashik (671).
