Election Commission to Engage with TMC Delegation Amid Electoral Roll Controversy
The Election Commission of India has officially confirmed that it will meet a delegation from the Trinamool Congress, led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, next week. This high-stakes meeting is scheduled for February 2 at 4 pm and comes in response to escalating tensions over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
Allegations of Partisan Conduct and Political Pressure
In a strongly worded statement, Mamata Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of operating under the influence of the Bharatiya Janata Party. She claims that the SIR process is being conducted in a biased manner, specifically targeting vulnerable groups. According to Banerjee, elderly citizens above 85 years of age and persons with disabilities are being unnecessarily summoned to prove their voting credentials, causing undue stress and hardship.
"The Election Commission of India is celebrating National Voters’ Day today, and what a tragic farce that is!" Banerjee stated in a social media post. "The Commission — working as His Master’s Voice — is busy now in snatching away people’s voting rights, and they have the temerity to celebrate Voters’ Day!"
Background of the Special Intensive Revision Dispute
The controversy centers around the SIR, which began with the enumeration of all registered electors in November. The EC's software has flagged approximately 1.5 crore electors in West Bengal for having logical discrepancies in their documents or for not mapping themselves to the last intensive revision conducted in the state back in 2002.
Banerjee has expressed deep distress over the EC's approach, alleging that the process resembles a National Register of Citizens trial for citizens, particularly affecting minorities, scheduled castes, and tribes. She has also raised concerns about the psychological impact, suggesting that the stress from these hearings has led to a series of suicides and deaths.
Legal and Political Developments
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court intervened in the matter following a petition by the TMC. The court ordered the Election Commission to publish the list of logical discrepancies identified by its software, adding a layer of judicial oversight to the contentious process.
This meeting between the EC and the TMC delegation, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, represents a critical juncture in resolving these allegations. It underscores the ongoing friction between state political forces and constitutional bodies over electoral integrity and procedural fairness.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the outcome of this February 2 meeting, which could have significant implications for the electoral landscape in West Bengal and beyond.
