In a directive to the Chief Electoral Officers of the three States, the Commission said the number of claims ranged from six to nine per cent while the annual increase in the number of electors for the country as a whole was generally around two per cent.

In West Bengal, 52 constituencies recorded an abnormal raise in applications, in Andhra Pradesh the increase was in 44 constituencies while in Kerala in 18 constituencies.

The CEOs of these States besides those of Orissa and Tamil Nadu have been directed to report to the Commission twice a week on the acceptance and rejection of applications in each constituency.

In Orissa and Tamil Nadu, the increase in the number of applications was not abnormally high in the first phase but in the second phase they had received ahigher number of applications leading to suspicions of stuffing of fictitious names in the rolls.

The Commission warned of deterrent disciplinary action against electoral registration officers for any negligence and non-performance in proper verification of claims. The final publication of the rolls of any constituency should not be made without the Commission's prior approval, it said.