Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced on Monday that his party will be setting up “Voter Identification Centres” at every branch level to prevent bogus voting and fake voter entries.
“Considering the issues of voter fraud and errors in electoral rolls, we have decided to start ‘Voter Identification Centres’ at the branch level. These centres will become operational once the voter lists for local body elections are published. Our workers will conduct a voter verification drive in every area. But I also appeal to the general public to check their own names and details in the voter list, and verify the names of voters in their area, society, or building. Citizens should ensure that no unknown names have been added in their homes, societies, or lanes,” said Thackeray.
Thackeray also demanded that new voter registrations be allowed until elections are officially announced. He urged young people who have turned 18 to register their names at party branches so that it can be determined how many eligible voters are being denied their voting rights.
“Why did the government stop voter registration since July? What is the reason for halting the process just before elections? Is the government afraid of Gen Z?” Thackeray questioned.
He also thanked BJP leader and minister Chandrakant Patil for publicly stating that “Shiv Sena belongs to Thackeray.”
“Statements by leaders like Shelar and Patil show that there is unease within the BJP due to the injustice faced by their own leaders, and that unease is now coming out. I thank Chandrakant Patil for acknowledging that Shiv Sena indeed belongs to Thackeray,” Thackeray added.
Also Read: BJP Accuses MVA and MNS of ‘Vote Jihad’ Over Voter List Issue