Study Highlights Disproportionate Scrutiny of Muslim Voters in Kolkata's Electoral Roll Revision
A recent analysis of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has uncovered a significant skew, with Muslim voters forming a disproportionately large share of those flagged under the "logical discrepancy" category in two politically crucial assembly constituencies in south Kolkata. This finding has ignited fresh debates and raised serious questions about the fairness and impartiality of the system-driven scrutiny process employed by the electoral authorities.
Alarming Discrepancies in Bhowanipore and Ballygunge
According to research conducted by the Sabar Institute, Muslim voters account for approximately 52% of those marked with "logical discrepancies" in Bhowanipore, a central-south Kolkata constituency that encompasses the city's traditional commercial and political hub. In the adjoining upscale residential area of Ballygunge, the figure is even more striking, with nearly 78% of voters in this category belonging to the minority community.
In Bhowanipore, out of 15,145 voters whose enumeration forms were flagged for "logical discrepancies," a total of 7,846 are Muslims, as detailed in the study. Similarly, in Ballygunge, 23,256 of the 30,008 voters identified with logical discrepancies are from the Muslim community, highlighting a pattern that demands immediate attention and scrutiny.
Contrast with Other Categories Reveals Stark Imbalance
The skew becomes particularly evident when compared to other categories of deletions or corrections within the electoral rolls. Ashin Chakraborty, who led the study alongside Souptik Halder and Sabir Ahamed, explained, "In Bhowanipore, Muslims constitute only 22.7% of voters marked as 'absent, shifted or dead/duplicate' (ASD) and about 26% of unmapped voters. These figures align closely with the Muslim population share of around 20% in the constituency, as per the 2011 Census. However, under the 'logical discrepancy' category, the proportion surges dramatically to 52%."
A parallel trend is observed in Ballygunge, where Muslims represent approximately 44% of ASD voters and 42% of unmapped voters, figures that are consistent with their estimated 50% population share in the constituency. This contrast underscores the anomaly in the logical discrepancy data, suggesting potential biases in the automated filtering process.
Election Commission Denies Allegations of Bias
In response to the findings, Election Commission officials have firmly rejected any allegations of bias or discrimination. An EC official stated that the electoral roll does not record religion, and the commission maintains no religion-wise voter data, implying that the process is neutral and based solely on technical criteria. However, this defense has done little to assuage concerns among political analysts and community representatives.
Political Reactions and Accusations Fly
Political reactions to the study have been sharp and divisive. Political analyst Udayan Bandyopadhyay alleged that the artificial intelligence program used for the SIR had been "intentionally designed" to harass minority voters, with a particular focus on women. Meanwhile, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of exploiting voter list revisions to target Muslim-majority areas, adding fuel to the ongoing political tensions.
Calls for Audit and Transparency Grow
The findings have introduced a new layer of controversy to the SIR exercise in Kolkata, with mounting demands for a comprehensive audit of the software-driven "logical discrepancy" filter. Stakeholders are urging the Election Commission to ensure that the revision process does not disproportionately affect any community, emphasizing the need for transparency and equity in electoral practices to uphold democratic integrity.
