This is a matter of concern for several reasons. First, it threatens to disenfranchise a large number of eligible voters. Secondly, for the EC to suggest that it will be up to those who have not caught the enumerators' attention to present themselves to the respective election commission offices for enrolling, is abdication of the EC's constitutional obligation, which is to ensure that all eligible voters are registered by visiting every single household in the country in the first place, and not for the eligible voters to ensure that they are enrolled.

The other issue that causes concern is the mechanism of determining the percentage of voters left out. We wonder what is the statistical basis for the EC to suggest that five percent remain unregistered.

Furthermore, given that the total number of voters registered is over nine crores, five percent makes nearly a mammoth half a crore voters. One wonders how the EC will ensure that the un-enrolled are included in the list, given that it will allow no further time for the field support staff to go from house to house to do so. And the decision on the part of the EC not to display the list for the voters beyond three days risks exclusion of eligible voters. It was mandatory, according to the rules, that the draft electoral roll was put on display for at least 15 days.

We find the comments of the EC secretary, that the list has been completed to the satisfaction of the political parties, rather amusing. It is not really the satisfaction of anybody that should be the criterion for determining whether a given task has been properly done, but to ensure that it is done as per proper procedures and without any lacunae by the one performing the task.

We feel that the task has not been done fully or properly. The shortcomings must be put right for the sake of a credible election by timely inclusion in the voter list of all those left out of it.