Kolkata Electoral Roll Errors Spark Political Outcry
In Kolkata, the Election Commission's assertion of publishing clean electoral rolls has been met with sharp criticism from major political parties. Congress, CPM, and SUCI have collectively stated that the list released on Saturday is far from "error-free," pointing to numerous discrepancies that undermine its integrity.
Parties Demand Transparency in Voter Lists
The opposition groups have issued a strong demand for an assembly-wise, machine-readable list detailing the names of voters currently under adjudication. This call for transparency aims to address concerns over the accuracy and fairness of the electoral process in the region.
Specific Cases Highlight Roll Inaccuracies
At a press conference, state Congress president Subhankar Sarkar presented compelling evidence of the rolls' flaws. He displayed the death certificate of a voter, revealing that in the Bhowanipore assembly segment, a deceased individual's name still appeared on the electoral list. Conversely, Sarkar highlighted a case from Naihati where an alive voter had been erroneously marked as "dead" and subsequently deleted from the rolls.
"If this was the performance of the EC, we are not sure how they will prepare the supplementary lists," Sarkar remarked, expressing deep skepticism about the Commission's ability to rectify these issues. He further noted that nearly 1.8 lakh applications for Form 6 and Form 6A are pending, with over 5.4 lakh Form 7s currently under consideration by the Election Commission.
SUCI and CPM Voice Additional Concerns
SUCI reinforced these allegations in a statement, citing the example of former MP Tarun Mandal, who was summoned for SIR hearings. The party pointed out that his wife, Mahua Nanda Mandal's name, is under adjudication, with an estimated 60 lakh such names undergoing scrutiny. "Many of them feel threatened," SUCI emphasized, shedding light on the psychological impact of this process.
CPM leader Sujan Chakraborty echoed the demand for immediate release of voters under adjudication in a booth-wise, machine-readable format. He argued that the poor and marginalized sections often struggle with physical documentation, making them vulnerable to exclusion through the SIR process. "Whether they are Hindu or Muslim, the marginalised seem to be the victims of the process this time. It is an onslaught against them," Chakraborty stated, highlighting the social dimensions of the issue.
Allegations of Deliberate Distraction
Chakraborty went further to allege that the controversy surrounding the SIR was intentionally stoked to intimidate citizens and divert their attention. "It gives governing dispositions scope to shift the focus from core issues of life and livelihood," he claimed, suggesting a strategic maneuver to obscure pressing economic and social concerns.
The collective stance of Congress, CPM, and SUCI underscores a significant challenge to the Election Commission's credibility in Kolkata. With mounting evidence of inaccuracies and calls for greater transparency, the integrity of the electoral rolls remains a contentious issue as the region approaches future polls.
