Shefikul Islam, a plywood factory worker at Perumbavur and a native of Nagaon district in Assam, has coughed up ₹3,500 to travel home to ensure that he cast his vote in the forthcoming Parliament election. For, he fears that he may fall into the category of D voter, referred to as dubious or doubtful voter, if he fails to vote this time with the Union government notifying the rules to implement the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
Apparently a system prevails in Assam whereby those categorised as D voters are disenfranchised by the government citing their alleged lack of proper citizenship credentials. “If I don’t vote this time, my name may be erased from the NRC (National Register of Citizens),” said Shefikul.
