Kolkata Voters in Shock as Supplementary List Removes Generational Voting Rights
In a devastating blow to numerous families who have called Kolkata home for generations, the second supplementary electoral list released last night has stripped them of their voting rights. Exactly one month after the final roll was published on February 28, these residents awoke on Saturday morning to the shocking realization that their names had been deleted, leaving them disenfranchised and scrambling for recourse.
Widespread Deletions Across Key Constituencies
Affected voters report that despite possessing all legitimate documents required for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll, their names were initially marked under adjudication and subsequently removed. Many are now questioning whether their paperwork ever reached the judicial officers tasked with scrutinizing their cases, casting doubt on the process.
In Ward 54 (part 30) under the Entally constituency, which includes areas like Beniapukur, Suresh Sarkar Road, and Sir Syed Ahmed Road, a staggering 249 voters were deleted out of 382 adjudication cases. Shabaz, 29, expressed his dismay: "The names of my mother, father, sister, and mine have all been deleted. We have been living in this neighborhood for 35 years."
Residents Voice Frustration and Seek Appeals
At a booth in the Rashbehari constituency (part 46), all 96 electors under adjudication found their names struck off the roll. These individuals, residing on Deshpran Sashmal Road under KMC ward 81, have deep roots in the area, with families living there for generations. Dipak Sharma, 49, a Rashbehari resident, shared his experience: "During the hearing, I submitted every document requested by EC officials. Did they reach the judicial officer? I doubt it. I believe that if the officer had seen my documents, my name would have been included."
The deleted voters are now seeking assistance to file appeals with the tribunal. Bapi Das, another affected voter in Rashbehari, stated: "It is mentioned that deleted voters like me can appeal within 15 days before the appellate tribunal, online or offline. I don't know how to do that and will take help from my neighbors who faced the same fate."
Additional Areas Impacted by Disenfranchisement
In Ward 44 under Chowringhee, covering parts of Mechhua, Colootola Street, and Tiretta Bazar, 88 voters were disenfranchised out of 164 adjudication cases. Mudassar, whose family has lived in the area for 93 years, was deleted along with nine other family members.
Md Sajjad, a deleted voter from Chowringhee, highlighted the inconsistency: "Five in my family were under adjudication. My mother's name made it to the supplementary list, but mine, along with my wife's and two sister-in-laws', were deleted after judicial scrutiny."
As these citizens navigate the appeals process, the incident raises broader concerns about electoral integrity and the safeguarding of voting rights for long-standing residents in Kolkata.
