5 hrs ago
Bengal Voters Deleted After SIR Must Appeal Through Tribunals
More than 27 lakh people in Bengal were removed from the voter list after a special checking process.
Officials said these people must challenge the decision before special tribunals.
The tribunals are led by retired judges, not Election Commission officials.
The Election Commission also said people left out of the rolls could apply to be added again.
However, it has not clearly said whether this option applies to the people removed after adjudication.
Many appeals have been filed, but most have not yet been decided.
This has worried voters because municipal elections are approaching.
One affected voter said she is still waiting for an answer about her appeal.
More than 27 lakh voters were deleted after adjudication during Bengal’s SIR.
A state Election Commission source said those voters must appeal to SIR tribunals.
The EC announced home visits, an enrolment drive and easier voter registration.
The EC has not clarified whether continuous updation applies to adjudicated deletions.
Of 38,20,683 appeals, 1,02,231 were disposed of and 37,18,452 remained pending.
- Who
- More than 27 lakh voters in Bengal, the Election Commission, and SIR tribunals are involved.
- What
- Voters removed after adjudication during the Special Intensive Revision must appeal through tribunals, while the availability of ordinary re-enrolment remains unclear.
- Where
- The issue concerns electoral rolls in Bengal, including the Rashbehari Assembly constituency, with appeals handled by tribunals in Calcutta.
- When
- The state Election Commission source gave the clarification on Monday; the EC announced additional measures on Saturday.
- Why
- The voters were deleted after adjudication during the SIR, and they are challenging or seeking clarification about their exclusion from the rolls.
Broader Re-enrolment Access
Tribunal-Only Appeals
Whether deleted voters can use continuous updation
Broader Re-enrolment Access
The Election Commission said anyone whose name was left out during or after the SIR may apply to the concerned electoral registration officer for inclusion.
Tribunal-Only Appeals
A state Election Commission source said the provision does not apply to the more than 27 lakh voters deleted after adjudication, who were directed to appeal to SIR tribunals.
Who should decide the cases
Broader Re-enrolment Access
Affected voters and critics are seeking clearer, easier access to the electoral registration process amid large numbers of pending appeals.
Tribunal-Only Appeals
The state Election Commission source said tribunals, headed by retired judges under Supreme Court directions, must decide the adjudication cases and the EC cannot interfere.
Key facts
- Voters deleted after adjudication
- More than 27 lakh
- Appeals filed
- 38,20,683 appeals before 19 appellate tribunals
- Appeals disposed of
- 1,02,231
- Appeals pending
- 37,18,452
- Tribunal leadership
- Each tribunal is headed by a retired judge
- Upcoming elections mentioned
- Municipal elections in Howrah and Calcutta
- Alternative measures announced
- BLO home visits, an enrolment drive and easier registration for new voters
Quotes
State Election Commission official
An official in the West Bengal State Election Commission who described the appeal process.
“The voters deleted after adjudication were asked to file appeals with the SIR tribunal. The tribunals were set up following directions of the Supreme Court. Each tribunal is headed by a retired judge. So, the judiciary will decide their cases. The EC cannot interfere.”
telegraphindia.com
“I keep checking the EC website every day, hoping for a response. But there is none so far. Saturday’s statement has only compounded my confusion.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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