Kolkata: Several Indian citizens who have lived in the city for generations had approached the tribunal appellate authority when the Special Identity Review (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission struck their names off the electoral roll. After judicial scrutiny, when a number of them still found their names missing from the inclusion list issued on the orders of the tribunals early on Tuesday, they raised a common question: "What was the crime that prevented us from voting?"
Disappointment Among Voters
The tribunal cleared 1,468 more citizens' names, allowing them to vote in the second phase of the Assembly election, but luck did not go in favour of many. Shamim Akhter, a professor at Aliah University and resident of Entally, said, "My son, an MBBS student, is also disappointed after not finding his name on the latest list. During the hearing, I furnished them all my documents, including my passport, and my son was mapped to me. Both of us were under adjudication and could not clear it. We filed appeals in the tribunal following the SC order. But on Tuesday, we were left utterly disappointed as our names were not included. We won't be able to cast our vote on Wednesday. The reason for the deletion of our names is not explained."
Long-Time Voter Left Out
Imran Zaki, a resident of Weston Street in Bowbazar, expressed his frustration. "What is my crime? Why can't I vote? I am also being forced to raise these questions after discovering that my voting right has not been restored, even after I moved the tribunal," he said. Zaki has been voting since 1988, and this will be the first time he will not be allowed to do so. "Despite having valid papers, my name has not appeared on the electoral roll. It's not only a personal disappointment but also a serious concern for democratic rights and transparency," added Zaki, a businessman and social worker.
Disabled Youth Denied Franchise
Sonu Hela, a youth from Charu Market area who has a hearing impairment and cannot speak, had visited Survey Building with his father, Raju, to file his appeal in the tribunal after his name was deleted from the roll earlier. Raju said, "I called up the BLO on Tuesday morning and learnt that my son's name was not included on the list. He won't be able to cast his vote on Wednesday. He cannot express his pain, but it is painful for me to look at him now."
Nurse with Prosthetic Limb Also Affected
Renu Khatun, a nurse in East Burdwan who relies on a prosthetic limb after her arm was chopped off by her husband, was not spared the SIR deletion blow. Having gone through various ups and downs in life, she said, "After I did not pass the judicial scrutiny, I made an appeal in the tribunal with a plea for restoration of my voting right. I have been a regular voter ever since I came of age. But I shall not be able to exercise the franchise on Wednesday as the tribunal did not clear my name. I had hoped my name would be there, but that did not happen. I am disappointed." (With inputs from Dipawali Mitra & Mohammad Asif)
