The Election Commission of India has uncovered a significant case of dual voter registration involving a prominent BJP leader during a routine fact-checking exercise in Kolkata. The commission revealed that Ujjwala Appa Brungale, a BJP neta residing in Dubrajpur, Birbhum district for over a decade with her husband Appa Shankar Brungale, had her name enrolled in voter lists for two separate assembly constituencies.
Details of the Dual Registration
According to official findings, Ujjwala Appa Brungale's name appeared simultaneously in the electoral rolls of Dubrajpur assembly seat in West Bengal and Sangila assembly seat in Maharashtra. The Election Commission confirmed this discrepancy through a detailed inquiry, noting that she had previously applied for voter enrollment in Dubrajpur while maintaining her existing registration in Sangila.
EC's Official Statement and Actions
The Election Commission addressed the matter publicly through an official tweet, stating that upon investigation, Ujjwala was found to be enrolled in both constituencies. The commission further disclosed that she had submitted an undertaking agreeing to retain her name in Sangila and formally apply for deletion from the Dubrajpur voter list, thereby attempting to rectify the situation.
Political Reactions and Controversy
The issue first came to light when the Trinamool Congress raised concerns about Ujjwala Appa Brungale's dual registration. TMC leaders highlighted that as a BJP candidate in the Sangila zilla parishad elections, her simultaneous presence in Dubrajpur's voter rolls undermined the credibility of the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls process.
Trinamool Congress officials argued that such instances render the entire electoral revision exercise meaningless, as they allow individuals to potentially influence outcomes in multiple constituencies. They specifically pointed out Ujjwala's participation in a SIR hearing at Dubrajpur, questioning how a candidate actively involved in another district's elections could legitimately claim voter status elsewhere.
Family Response and Current Status
In response to the allegations, Ujjwala's husband, Appa Shankar Brungale, claimed that his wife had withdrawn her candidature for the Sangila zilla parishad elections. However, this assertion has not been independently verified by electoral authorities. Attempts to contact Ujjwala Appa Brungale directly for comments on the matter have been unsuccessful, leaving several questions about the timeline and circumstances of her dual registration unanswered.
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
This case has sparked renewed discussions about the effectiveness of voter list verification mechanisms and the challenges in maintaining accurate electoral rolls across state boundaries. Election watchdogs emphasize that dual registrations, even if unintentional, create vulnerabilities in the democratic process and require stricter monitoring.
The Election Commission's proactive identification of this discrepancy demonstrates its ongoing efforts to clean up voter lists ahead of upcoming elections. However, opposition parties continue to demand more robust systems to prevent similar occurrences, particularly involving political candidates who might benefit from multiple voting opportunities.
As investigations continue, electoral authorities are expected to review procedures for cross-state voter registration checks and consider stricter penalties for violations to deter future incidents that compromise the sanctity of India's electoral framework.
