Kolkata Voters Scramble to File Appeals as Electoral Roll Freeze Looms
With just forty-eight hours remaining before the electoral roll is frozen, a wave of urgency has swept through Kolkata as voters deleted in the Summary Revision (SIR) exercise rush to file appeals for the restoration of their voting rights. This frantic effort aims to ensure they are not turned away from polling booths on April 29, when the city heads to the polls.
Mass Gatherings at Appeal Tribunals
On Tuesday, thousands of individuals stripped of their voting rights converged on key locations, including the Survey Building in Alipore and Jessop Building on N S Road. These sites host tribunals established by the Election Commission (EC) to hear appeals from concerned citizens and investigate the reasons behind the omission of their names from the electoral roll.
As applicants arrived, police officers outside escorted them to designated tables where officials received their applications after meticulously checking documents as prescribed by the EC. However, entry to the buildings was restricted due to the simultaneous presence of candidates filing nominations for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Police and central force personnel stood guard outside both premises, requiring those seeking to restore their voting rights to explain the purpose of their visit before being granted access. Many applicants reported being turned away in previous days for lacking necessary documents or written prayers, only to secure their turn on Tuesday.
Official Response and Voter Plight
An official at Survey Building noted, "Since Monday, we have been witnessing this rush of people coming to us to make appeals against the deletion of their names. We are telling them to check their credentials before receiving their appeals and uploading them for the tribunal."
Among the affected voters is Renu Pramanik from Bhowanipore, who pleaded with officials to "do the needful" to revive her name from what she called the "deletion dump yard." She expressed disbelief, stating, "I have been casting votes for the past two decades and never imagined that my voting right would be taken away at the age of 45. During the SIR hearing, I had submitted all the documents that they had sought from me. But I was placed under adjudication and finally my name was omitted from the SIR list. I have made my appeal. Now, I am waiting for the tribunal verdict, which I don't know when will come."
Case Studies Highlight Systemic Issues
Amit Ray, a resident of Entally, visited Jessop Building after his name was deleted due to a discrepancy in official records. He explained that most of his documents identify him as Amitlal Ray, while the 2002 SIR list recorded his name as Amritlal Ray. This inconsistency led to his case being placed under adjudication and subsequently removed from the roll.
Ray said, "I appeared for the hearing and submitted all the documents, after which my case went under adjudication. I applied for an affidavit and received it from the court on Monday. I have come here to file an appeal to restore my name to the electoral roll. I have never missed voting but I don't know what will happen this time."
Another deleted voter, Sarmin, carried all relevant documents and sought to understand the reason behind her omission. Officials suggested there might have been an error and that the matter was under examination, advising her to contact the Booth Level Officer (BLO) in her area.
Broader Implications and Call to Action
The situation underscores the critical importance of accurate electoral rolls in a democratic process. With prominent figures like former MP Tarun Mandal and associate professor Mohd Shamim Akhter, head of the Islamic theology department at Aliah University, among those affected, the issue has gained significant attention.
As the deadline approaches, the EC's tribunals are working overtime to process appeals, but the outcome remains uncertain for many. This episode serves as a stark reminder for voters to verify their registration status and for authorities to ensure transparency and efficiency in electoral management.
