South Goa MP Embroiled in Electoral Roll Row: 'Unmapped' Notice Sparks Scrutiny
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South Goa Congress MP Viriato Fernandes has expressed surprise after being issued a notice by the Election Commission of India, requiring him to provide documentation to prove his identity and retain his name on the electoral roll. Fernandes, a former Indian Navy officer turned politician, has been a registered voter since 1989 and has actively participated in every election since. He questioned the scrutiny he faced, stating that even MPs are subject to rigorous checks before being cleared to contest elections. According to the notice, Fernandes' enumeration form lacked essential details from the previous Statewide Electoral Roll (SIR), leading to his profile being classified as 'unmapped'. To resolve the issue, he has been directed to appear before the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer on January 27 with necessary documents. The AERO, Janavi Kalekar, clarified that the enumeration form did not include the required information, preventing it from automatically linking to the existing electoral roll record. This led to the system placing Fernandes' form under the 'unmapped' category and issuing a hearing notice. Fernandes' case highlights the challenges faced by citizens in maintaining accurate electoral records, despite their efforts to participate in the democratic process.
