Kartik Kumar
Pakur
The Pakur district administration has constituted a five-member team to investigate alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls, including claims that names of suspected Bangladeshi nationals may have been included in the voter list.
The move follows a direction from Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar, who sought a report from Deputy Commissioner Megha Bharadwaj after receiving a complaint from the Adivasi Kalyan Samiti, Pakur.
In a letter dated August 24, the Chief Electoral Officer asked the district administration to examine allegations of illegal occupation of tribal land, irregular inclusion of names in electoral rolls and possible use of forged documents.
The Deputy Commissioner subsequently ordered a detailed, point-wise inquiry and directed the team to submit its report within one week.
The five-member team includes the Pakur SDO, Deputy Election Officer, Sub-Divisional Police Officer and officials from the concerned administrative and police authorities. Officials from Pakur, Maheshpur, Hirapur, Littipara, Amrapara and Pakuria areas have been included in the inquiry.
Officials said several complaints had emerged from Ilami, Manikapur and Manirampur panchayats. Complainants have alleged that some individuals possess documents establishing their identity but are unable to produce older records relating to their fathers or grandfathers.
Officials, however, stressed that the allegations have not been established and their authenticity will be determined only after the inquiry.
Adivasi Kalyan Samiti president Barson Kisku claimed that the organisation had raised similar concerns with authorities in 2025, following which the Election Commission had sought a report from the district administration. The complaint alleges that the report was not submitted at the time.
Meanwhile, a Home-to-Roll Verification campaign is being conducted across Pakur from August 25 to September 4. Booth Level Officers are carrying out door-to-door verification of voters and their family members to verify eligibility and ensure accuracy in the electoral rolls.
