Kolkata Voters Encounter Frustration at Tribunal Office Before Crucial Assembly Elections
In a concerning development just days before the first phase of assembly elections, numerous voters from Kolkata and its suburbs who found their names deleted from electoral rolls visited the tribunal appellate authority's office in Joka on Tuesday. These citizens, anxious about exercising their democratic right, returned deeply disappointed as their attempts to seek clarification met with complete silence from the authorities.
Confusion Over Supplementary Electoral Roll Release
Aware that the first supplementary revised electoral roll was scheduled for release on Tuesday, many concerned voters gathered at the tribunal's office to understand when this crucial document would become visible or how they could access it. However, police personnel and security guards stationed at the location could provide no information whatsoever, citing that they had received no official instructions regarding the publication of the electoral list.
Legal Representatives Also Turned Away
Several advocates who had drafted petitions for these deleted voters arrived at the Joka office to follow up on the progress of their clients' appeals. To their frustration, these legal professionals were also denied entry and had to return without any clear understanding of the situation. Abir Mondal, an advocate from Calcutta High Court, expressed his disappointment, stating, "I have prepared petitions for approximately 300 clients, with most hailing from Malda where elections are scheduled for Thursday. These individuals have been persistently contacting us to determine whether they can participate in voting. Despite visiting the tribunal's office, I received absolutely no cooperation."
Personal Stories of Voter Disenfranchisement
Narayan Das, assistant to a lawyer in a Kakdwip court, brought two clients—Abul Hossain Naskar and Firdous Naskar—to the tribunal to inquire about their appeal status. Das recounted, "The guards prevented us from entering. Everyone claims to have no knowledge about this matter. This raises the critical question: who actually possesses this information, and how will applicants receive answers to their legitimate queries?"
Firdous Naskar revealed that he had filed his appeal with legal assistance on April 6 and had been awaiting progress updates ever since. "I contacted the local administration's office but obtained no clarity. Even my Booth Level Officer has stopped answering my calls," he lamented.
Safikul Rahman Molla, who traveled from Satgachhia to the tribunal office, shared a similar predicament. "The names of both my father and elder sister have been deleted from the voter list. We submitted our appeals online on March 30 and followed up with hard copies at the SDO office six days later. To this day, we have received no clarification whatsoever," he stated.
Broader Implications for Democratic Participation
This situation unfolds with significant timing—just two days before the first phase of assembly elections and eight days prior to the second phase. The inability of deleted voters to obtain basic information about their voting status raises serious questions about electoral transparency and citizen access to democratic processes. The complete lack of communication channels between concerned citizens, their legal representatives, and the tribunal authorities creates an atmosphere of uncertainty that could potentially impact voter participation in these crucial elections.
