BHUBANESWAR, India – Election authorities in the eastern Indian state of Odisha are conducting a massive, door-to-door verification of its electoral rolls after receiving an unprecedented number of applications to change voters’ ages. The probe centers on suspicions that the changes to the Odisha voter data are a widespread effort to fraudulently qualify for state-funded old-age pension schemes, prompting a fierce political debate.
Age Manipulation for Pension
| Key Fact | Detail/Statistic |
| Investigation Trigger | A surge of over 500,000 “Form-8” applications for corrections to voter details, with a significant number requesting age increases. The Hindu |
| Suspected Motive | To meet the 60-year age requirement for the state’s Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY). |
| Official Action | The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a 100% verification of all age-change applications by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). |
| Political Allegations | The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of facilitating a “pension scam.” Times of India |
State-Wide Scrutiny Over Suspicious Age Changes
Officials with Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) are scrutinizing hundreds of thousands of applications filed to alter personal details on the state’s electoral roll. The primary concern is the unusually high volume of requests for age modifications, many of which aim to push an individual’s date of birth over the 60-year threshold.
“We have observed a significant number of applications for age correction,” said Nikunja Bihari Dhal, Odisha’s Chief Electoral Officer, in a press statement. “Given the gravity of the situation, the Election Commission has mandated a thorough, field-level verification for every single case where the age is being increased to 60 years or more.”
This verification process involves Booth Level Officers visiting applicants’ homes to cross-reference their claims with official documents such as birth certificates, school records, and other government-issued IDs. The sheer scale of the applications has placed significant strain on electoral machinery, officials noted.
The Link to Pension Scheme Eligibility
The central motive behind the alleged age manipulation is believed to be gaining access to the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY), a cornerstone social welfare program in Odisha. The pension scheme provides a monthly stipend to the elderly, widows, and persons with disabilities, with old-age benefits typically beginning at 60.
For many in rural and low-income communities, this small pension is a critical source of financial support. An altered voter ID card, which serves as a common proof-of-age document, could be the key to unlocking these benefits. The investigation is examining whether this is an organized effort or a widespread, opportunistic phenomenon.
“The voter ID is one of the most accessible documents for people to establish their identity and age for various schemes,” said a senior official in the state’s social security department, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Its integrity is paramount not just for elections but for the entire welfare delivery system.”
Political Firestorm Erupts
The issue has ignited a political firestorm, with the state’s main opposition party, the BJP, accusing the ruling BJD of orchestrating the changes to secure votes ahead of elections.
“This is not a clerical error; it is a calculated scam by the BJD government to illegally enroll its supporters into the pension scheme and create a fraudulent vote bank,” the state BJP unit alleged in a memorandum submitted to the CEO. The party has demanded a high-level, independent inquiry into the matter.
The BJD has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them a politically motivated attempt to defame the government and disrupt the state’s social welfare programs. A BJD spokesperson said the government is committed to transparent governance and will cooperate fully with the ECI’s investigation.
The verification process is ongoing, with BLOs tasked to submit detailed reports on their findings. Officials have warned that any individual found to have deliberately provided false information to alter the Odisha voter data could face legal action under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The final report from the CEO’s office is expected to determine the full extent of the discrepancies and recommend further action.
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FAQs
1. What is Form-8 used for in the electoral process?
Form-8 is a multipurpose application used by registered voters to request a shift of residence, correction of existing entries in the electoral roll (like name, age, or address), issuance of a replacement Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC), or marking as a Person with Disability.
2. What is the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY)?
The MBPY is a social security pension scheme run by the Government of Odisha. It provides financial assistance to destitute elderly people, widows, persons with severe and permanent disability, and other vulnerable groups in the state.
3. What are the potential consequences of providing false information on a voter form?
According to India’s Representation of the People Act, 1950, knowingly making a false declaration or statement in connection with the preparation of an electoral roll is a punishable offense, which can include imprisonment, a fine, or both.
