Delhi CEO clarifies residency rules for cabinet ministers

The Delhi Chief Electoral Officer has clarified that cabinet ministers may be considered ordinarily resident in their constituencies even if official duties require them to reside elsewhere. This clarification follows inquiries from the Aam Aadmi Party regarding the enrollment of ministers at addresses other than their regular residences during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Citing Section 20 of the Representation of the People Act 1950, the CEO noted that certain office holders, including Union and State Cabinet Ministers, are deemed to be ordinarily resident in the constituency where they would have resided had they not held such office. The CEO explained that prominent individuals and public representatives were included in the draft rolls to facilitate the collection of necessary documentation during the claims and objections phase.

The electoral process is currently in the claims and objections period, which is scheduled to continue until October 29, with the final electoral roll expected to be published on November 4. The poll authority emphasized that the issuance of notices does not equate to the deletion of a voter's name, as no name can be removed without a proper hearing and an appealable order.