Thursday, August 11 2005 20:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: In a significant effort to cleanse the electoral process in the country, the Election Commission today said it has decided to delete from voters list names of all those against whom non-bailable warrants (NBWs) are pending for over six months.

EC sources said here that in a communication to the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all States and Union Territories, the Commission has asked them to initiate immediate action in this regard.

The Commission's decision comes close on the heels of its directive to Bihar to remove names of electors declared as absconders by September 19 to ensure fair elections in the sensitive state later this year.

The move assumes significance as it comes ahead of assembly elections in key states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Pondicherry due next year.

The DGPs from States and union territories have been directed to furnish to CEOs by September 10 full details of residential addresses against whom the NBWs have remained unexecuted for more than six months.

The whole exercise should be completed by October 10, the EC said in its order.

Observing that the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) would take action on the basis of laid down procedure, the EC asked the State Government to furnish to the Chief Electoral Officer by August 19 a complete list of such persons.

Observing that the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) would take action on the basis of laid down procedure, the EC asked the State Government to furnish to the Chief Electoral Officer by August 19 a complete list of such persons.

The Commission's directive came in the wake of large number of unexecuted non-bailable warrants and low recovery of illegal arms and ammunition in Bihar.

The Commission had earlier directed the state administration to step up efforts in this regard. It had noted that as on July 14, as many as 23,616 non-bailable warrants remained pending for execution.

Under section 22 of the RP Act, the name of a person who has ceased to be ordinarily resident in the constituency could be deleted by the ERO at any time before the last date for the nomination of candidates from the constituency, the EC said.