Election Observers Begin Review Amid Voter List Controversy
West Bengal's special roll observer Subrata Gupta and election roll observer for South 24 Parganas and Kolkata South, C Murugan, commenced their duties with a significant visit to Falta in South 24 Parganas district. This initial stop gained particular importance following Bharatiya Janata Party allegations that deceased individuals remained listed on voter rolls in the area.
Intensive Review Session at Falta BDO Office
Subrata Gupta arrived at the Falta Block Development Office at 11:45 AM, embarking on a comprehensive review session that extended for approximately three hours. The meeting concluded around 3 PM, having brought together senior administrative officials, Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Booth Level Agents (BLAs), and representatives from four political parties.
The session began with Gupta inquiring about the progress of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of voter lists. He highlighted that opposition parties across South 24 Parganas had formally complained about names of deceased voters persisting on electoral rolls. The observer specifically examined whether Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers submitted to the Election Commission were properly marked for voters who had passed away.
Gupta provided clear instructions to officials, emphasizing that when a deceased voter appears as active, cross-verification through the Election Commission portal becomes mandatory. This systematic approach aims to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Political Tensions and Operational Challenges
Following the extended meeting, Gupta briefed reporters, stating, "The detailed discussion primarily focused on the SIR process. We invited attendees to highlight any difficulties they encountered, but none specifically mentioned particular problems." He stressed that regardless of complaint volumes, a thorough verification process remains essential for electoral credibility.
Falta Block Development Officer Shanu Bakshi reported that approximately 300 BLOs attended the session. These grassroots election officials identified significant operational hurdles, particularly system complexity and server issues that substantially slow their work. The Special Roll Observer requested comprehensive details about BLO working methodologies to address these challenges.
The political atmosphere surrounding the review emerged clearly through party representatives' statements. BJP district president Soma Ghosh claimed, "The fear prevalent in Falta prevents common people from speaking openly, and BLAs face even greater constraints." She alleged an auto-rickshaw driver faced threats after his name appeared on the BLA list.
Trinamool Congress representative Subhasish Chakraborty, president of the Trinamool Diamond Harbour and Jadavpur organisational districts, countered these claims. He stated, "The BJP lacks organizational presence in Falta and cannot even provide polling booth agents. Whether they have any genuine BLAs remains doubtful."
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
This review session marks a crucial step in ensuring accurate voter lists ahead of upcoming elections. The presence of special observers demonstrates the Election Commission's commitment to addressing concerns from all political stakeholders. The focus on dead voter allegations reflects ongoing efforts to maintain transparent and credible electoral processes in West Bengal.
As the verification process continues, both administrative efficiency and political cooperation will determine the success of voter list purification efforts throughout South 24 Parganas district and beyond.
