Long Queues as Voters in West Bengal Seek Reinstatement Ahead of Assembly Elections
Serpentine lines outside tribunal centres in Bengal as deleted voters queue up to get their names back on voter lists
The Hindu
Image: The Hindu
In West Bengal, long lines formed outside tribunal centers as voters whose names were deleted during a revision process sought reinstatement ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections on April 23 and 29. Protests erupted in North 24 Parganas over alleged wrongful deletions, raising concerns about voter disenfranchisement.
- 01Voters in West Bengal are queuing to reinstate deleted names from electoral rolls ahead of elections.
- 02Protests occurred in North 24 Parganas over alleged wrongful deletions affecting nearly 700 voters.
- 03Tribunals for appeals are headed by former High Court judges across 23 districts.
- 04The situation has led to tensions between political parties, with accusations of orchestrating protests.
- 05One notable case involved the reinstatement of Congress candidate Mohtab Sheikh's name by a tribunal.
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In West Bengal, significant queues have formed outside tribunal centers as voters attempt to restore their names on electoral rolls, following deletions during a special revision process. With the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for April 23 and 29, concerns over voter disenfranchisement are escalating. In North 24 Parganas, protests erupted in Basirhat, where locals alleged that nearly 700 voters were wrongfully removed from three booths. The situation has prompted political leaders, including Kunal Ghosh from the Trinamool Congress and Dilip Ghosh from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to voice their concerns and accusations against each other regarding the handling of voter registrations. Amid rising tensions, seven judicial officers were held hostage in Malda by residents protesting wrongful deletions, leading to a significant standoff. The Chief Justice of India remarked that such actions challenge the authority of the Supreme Court. The National Investigating Agency is now involved in investigating these incidents. Voters can appeal to 19 tribunals established across 23 districts, which are led by former High Court judges. Recently, Congress candidate Mohtab Sheikh's name was restored in the final voter list by a tribunal, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing appeals process.
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The ongoing situation may affect voter participation in the upcoming elections, as many individuals are struggling to restore their voting rights.
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