Section 30B: Section 30B – Removal of Names from Electoral Rolls of Graduates’ and Teachers’ Constituencies

Overview

Section 30B of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 focuses on keeping the voter lists for Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies accurate and up-to-date. It outlines the process for removing names of individuals who no longer meet the qualifications required to vote in these constituencies.

Key Provisions

• Removal of Ineligible Voters: This section allows for the removal of a person’s name from the electoral roll if they no longer fulfill the criteria for being a Graduate or Teacher elector. This includes losing a teaching position, no longer holding a valid graduate degree, or moving outside the constituency.
• Initiation of Removal: The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) can initiate the removal process in two ways: either after receiving information (like objections from others or reports from institutions) or by proactively verifying the rolls themselves.
• Maintaining Voter List Integrity: The core purpose is to ensure that only eligible individuals – those who are genuinely qualified graduates or teachers – remain registered to vote in these specialized constituencies.

Impact on Voters and Electoral Rolls

Section 30B directly impacts the accuracy and fairness of elections for the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) seats reserved for Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies. By removing ineligible voters, it ensures that the elected representative truly represents the views of qualified individuals within the constituency. It also places a responsibility on voters to inform the ERO of any changes in their status (e.g., ceasing to be a teacher).

Practical Examples

• Example 1: Teacher’s Retirement – Ms. Sharma is a registered Graduate Constituency voter and a high school teacher. She retires from her teaching position. The school informs the ERO, who then removes her name from the electoral roll as she no longer meets the ‘teacher’ qualification.
• Example 2: Graduate Moving Residence – Mr. Verma is a registered Teachers’ Constituency voter with a valid Bachelor’s degree. He moves permanently to a city outside the constituency. Upon receiving proof of his new address, the ERO removes his name from the electoral roll, as he is no longer a resident of the constituency.

Related Sections / Rules

This section works closely with Section 28 (Preparation of electoral rolls for Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies) and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, particularly those rules dealing with objections and verification of electoral rolls. Specifically, Rule 27 and 28 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, which deal with claims and objections, are frequently used in conjunction with Section 30B.