Kolkata Voters Barred from Tribunal Office While Seeking Appeal Status
In a significant development ahead of the upcoming elections, numerous voters in Kolkata whose names were deleted from electoral rolls faced substantial obstacles when attempting to inquire about the status of their appeals. On Saturday, these individuals, including legal professionals and daily wage workers, visited the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee-National Institute of Water and Sanitation (SPM-NIWAS) in Joka, where the appellate tribunal authority is currently processing appeals. However, they were prevented from entering the premises and could not obtain any information regarding their cases or access the report cards that will be issued by the tribunal.
Multiple Government Office Visits Yield No Results
Many of these electors had already visited several government offices to follow up on their appeals, only to be redirected to the tribunal. Upon arrival at the Joka location, they were immediately shooed away by security personnel, who labeled them as trespassers. This treatment left the voters feeling helpless and frustrated, with no clear avenue to resolve their voting status issues.
Personal Stories Highlight Systemic Failures
Among those affected was Ayub Miah, a 33-year-old daily wager from Cooch Behar, who traveled approximately 713 kilometers to inquire about his voting rights. His hometown is scheduled to vote on April 23. Miah expressed his dismay, stating, "I am the sixth child of my father, and this is my sin for which the Election Commission knocked my name off the roll. But my visit was of no use. The security guards did not allow me to enter the office."
Advocates Sukamal Karar and Naznin Khatun, both practicing at the Howrah Court, also faced similar challenges. After visiting the District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional Officer's offices in the morning without receiving any clarification, they were directed to the tribunal's office. However, they too were denied access. Karar, a resident of the Shibpur constituency, shared his experience: "I got my voting right 12 years ago. My father's name is Subhas Chandra Karar, but the 2002 roll mentioned his name as Subhas Karar. When I was called for a hearing earlier, I submitted all documents, but I was placed under adjudication, and finally, my name was deleted. I filed the appeal online but have not been able to trace its status. None has any definite answer, while the cops and central force guarding the office did not let me enter."
Security Restrictions and Lack of Information
Security guards at the institute confirmed that they had been instructed not to allow anyone inside unless they could present a notice from the tribunal authority. One security personnel explained, "As per directions, we can let in only those who will show a notice from the tribunal authority. Entry of others is prohibited." This policy has left many voters in the dark about their appeal outcomes, with the second phase of polling just 11 days away.
Further Instances of Voter Distress
Rahul Sabharwal, a resident of Madhyamgram who teaches at a private institute, drove about 40 kilometers for over an hour to reach Joka. He sought to determine whether his 27-year-old son, Ayush, would be able to vote. However, he was driven away by security guards within minutes. Sabharwal lamented, "Where will people like me go to know the decision of the tribunal authority? This is my second visit to Joka, as I came here on April 14. My son has lost his voting right. No hearing notice was issued to him, and none told us if any document other than the ones submitted was needed. The names of mine and my wife are there on the rolls. One of the cops said that names cleared may be put up outside, but there is no confirmation on this."
Naznin Khatun, who also serves as a notary officer at the court, raised concerns about potential harassment and discrimination. She stated, "The second-phase poll is 11 days away, so I came to know whether the appellate tribunal authority has cleared my name for restoration of voting right. But there is no way to find the status of appeals. None has any answer here. This is nothing but harassment. The Booth Level Officer did not give me any hearing notice after the enumeration phase. The reason behind deletion has not been communicated to me. Have I been victimized for my religion?"
The situation highlights a critical gap in the electoral process, where voters are left without recourse or information regarding their fundamental right to vote. With elections imminent, the lack of transparency and access to the tribunal authority is causing significant distress among the electorate in Kolkata.
