Election Commission and Mamata Banerjee Lock Horns Over Voter List Scrutiny in Bengal
The Election Commission of India and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are embroiled in a heated confrontation over the legality and procedures involved in scrutinizing the state's voter list ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The dispute centers on three critical issues: the engagement of micro-observers by the poll panel for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work, the categorization of voters under 'logical discrepancy' due to spelling errors in names, and the perceived hurried manner of identity verification.
Allegations of Illegal Micro-Observer Deployment
Mamata Banerjee has leveled serious accusations against the Election Commission, alleging that it is illegally employing micro-observers as electoral officers. She claims these officials, who are sourced from BJP-governed states or the Union government, are indiscriminately deleting names from the electoral rolls without proper authority. This, she argues, undermines the integrity of the voter list and could disenfranchise legitimate voters.
Election Commission's Defense and Justification
In response, the Election Commission's counsel, Rakesh Dwivedi, defended the use of micro-observers, stating that their engagement follows due process. He explained that the Commission had to resort to this measure because the West Bengal government, despite multiple written requests, failed to provide an adequate number of Class-II officers of Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) rank. These officers are essential for carrying out the scrutiny work, which involves adjudication on voter eligibility.
The Commission highlighted the scale of the issue, noting that 1.5 crore notices were issued after it was determined that scrutiny was necessary for over 2.1 crore voters. This includes 58 lakh voters categorized as absent, shifted, or deceased. The EC expressed grave concerns, stating that the electoral roll of 2025, with such questionable sanctity, cannot be used to conduct the upcoming assembly polls in Bengal. Using it, they warned, would cast a cloud of doubt over the entire election process and the legitimacy of any elected government.
Judicial Observations and Deadlines
The bench hearing the case acknowledged that while dead persons and illegal migrants must be removed from the voters' list, no citizen who is a resident of Bengal should be unjustly excluded. This balanced view underscores the need for meticulous scrutiny.
Mamata Banerjee and advocate Shyam Divan, representing the state government, pointed out that of the 1.36 lakh voters in the 'logical discrepancy' category, the Election Commission has so far heard only 88 lakh people. They argued that to complete hearings for the remaining 63 lakh voters, the EC would require time beyond the February 7 deadline. In response, the bench indicated a willingness to extend the deadline if necessary, recognizing the complexity and volume of the task.
Implications for Bengal's Electoral Integrity
This clash between the Election Commission and the West Bengal government has significant implications for the state's democratic process. Key points of contention include:
- The legality and sourcing of micro-observers for voter list scrutiny.
- The handling of spelling errors leading to voter categorization issues.
- The pace and thoroughness of identity verification processes.
- The overall sanctity of the electoral roll for the 2025 assembly elections.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on how this dispute will be resolved to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process in West Bengal. The outcome could set a precedent for voter list management in other states facing similar challenges.
