Bengal BJP Voter List: Dead & Absentee Voters
- Political parties in West bengal are actively preparing to scrutinize voter lists ahead of a special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, focusing on identifying deceased or migrated voters.
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari stated on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, that district units have been instructed to compile lists of voters who are deceased or...
- The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) estimates a significant number of discrepancies.
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West Bengal Parties Prepare for Voter List Scrutiny Ahead of elections
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Political parties in West bengal are actively preparing to scrutinize voter lists ahead of a special intensive revision (SIR) exercise, focusing on identifying deceased or migrated voters. The move comes amid concerns about the accuracy of the rolls and potential for electoral irregularities.
Concerns Over Voter List Accuracy
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari stated on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, that district units have been instructed to compile lists of voters who are deceased or have moved out of the state but remain on the electoral rolls. This initiative is in anticipation of the special intensive revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal. Hindustan Times reported on this advancement.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) estimates a significant number of discrepancies. CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty suggested that 50-70 deceased or absentee voters may be present in each polling booth area of West Bengal.He believes this number could be higher in urban areas, potentially leading to the deletion of around five million names from the voter list. Chakraborty criticized the Election Commission (EC) for not ordering a voter list revision in Bengal for several years.
The CPI(M) plans to meet with the state chief electoral officer next week to discuss thes concerns and ensure that the names of legitimate voters are not removed from the rolls.
State Congress leaders have also announced their intention to establish booth-level monitoring committees in areas where the party has a presence to oversee the voter list revision process.
The Special intensive Revision (SIR) Process
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a periodic process undertaken by the Election Commission of India to update the electoral rolls. It involves verifying existing voter information,adding new eligible voters,and removing names of deceased or migrated individuals. The SIR is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process.
Typically, the SIR involves:
- Field Verification: Booth Level agents (BLAs) and other officials physically verify voter information at residences.
- Public Notices: Announcements are made inviting objections to proposed changes in the voter list.
- Claim Filing: citizens can file claims for inclusion, objection to inclusion, or correction of details.
- Final Publication: The revised voter list is published after addressing all claims and objections.
Impact and Implications
Accurate voter lists are basic to free and fair elections. Inflated or outdated lists can lead to:
- ghost Voting: voting in the name of deceased or non-existent individuals.
- Disenfranchisement: Legitimate voters being unable to exercise their right to vote due to errors in the list.
- Electoral Malpractice: Opportunities for manipulation and fraud.
The concerns raised by the BJP,CPI(M),and Congress highlight the importance of thorough scrutiny during the SIR process. The parties’ efforts to identify discrepancies could significantly impact the final voter list and potentially influence the outcome of future elections in West Bengal.