Residents throng special camps to include their names in poll roll

A number of residents thronged special camps organised across the city on Sunday to get their names included in the electoral rolls.

Chennai District Election Office announced special camps at 4,079 polling booths in the 16 Assembly constituencies of the city, inviting residents to have their names included in the electoral roll after many of them complained that their names were removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

Ward 104 councillor T.V. Shemmozhi said many residents in his area have been removed from the electoral roll because of demolition of their flats for redevelopment. “The names of 52 families in one apartment complex have been removed as the building has been demolished for redevelopment. The residents are original owners of the property, and they will reside in the redeveloped homes in a few months. Officials should provide more clarity and help such residents,” he said.

Valasaravakkam zone chairman Nolambur V. Rajan said many residents have complained that their names have been removed from the electoral roll and have started submitting application forms for inclusion of names in the electoral roll.

At a camp organised on Sunday in Lady Sivaswami School in Mylapore, angry residents protested against election officials claiming that the names were deleted because the election officials did not upload the forms properly even after residents submitted the forms on time.