Over 1.1 Lakh Voters in West Bengal Face Exclusion Due to EC's Document Upload Delays
The Election Commission (EC) is under scrutiny as documents submitted by more than 1.1 lakh voters during the Summary Revision (SIR) hearings in West Bengal have not been uploaded to the official database. The hearing phase concluded on February 14, but as of Tuesday, a significant backlog persists, putting these voters at risk of being omitted from the final electoral roll scheduled for publication on February 28.
Procedural Lapses and Voter Frustration
EC officers confirmed on Tuesday that if these names are not included in the final roll, affected voters will have to navigate a multi-step appeal process. They must first approach the District Election Officer (DEO) and then the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to seek inclusion. However, officials did not address queries regarding why citizens should bear the brunt of administrative delays, leaving many frustrated with the dilatory attitude of the authorities.
This group of over one lakh voters will now join the list of 2,43,940 ineligible voters identified as of Tuesday, further swelling the numbers of those excluded from the electoral process. According to EC norms, if documents are not uploaded after a hearing, the concerned individual's name will not feature in the electoral roll. A senior official stated, "If the affected person files a complaint against the concerned Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), the EC will take action against the officials after an inquiry."
Appeal Mechanisms and District-Wise Breakdown
Another official outlined the recourse available to voters: "Electors whose names are missing from the final roll, even after attending hearings and submitting documents, can apply to the concerned District Magistrate (DM) or DEO within five days of publication of the final list. After receiving the applications, the DM/DEO will call them for a hearing. If the issue is not resolved in five days, the applicant can apply to the CEO."
The SIR process in West Bengal followed a strict timeline, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) halting document uploads immediately after midnight on February 14. Verification and final disposal of cases are currently underway, but records show that 1,14,772 documents remain unuploaded as of Tuesday. The backlog is particularly high in several districts:
- North 24 Parganas: 20,707 documents pending
- North Kolkata: 15,031 documents pending
- Cooch Behar: 10,479 documents pending
- South Dinajpur: 10,285 documents pending
- Howrah: 10,499 documents pending
Additionally, districts like Darjeeling, Hooghly, and South 24 Parganas each have over 5,000 documents awaiting upload. In contrast, no uploads are pending in Malda, Jhargram, and Kalimpong, highlighting regional disparities in administrative efficiency.
Implications for Democratic Participation
This situation raises concerns about voter disenfranchisement and the effectiveness of electoral processes in West Bengal. With the final roll publication imminent, the delay in uploading documents could disenfranchise a substantial number of citizens, undermining their right to participate in the democratic process. The EC's failure to address these uploads promptly has sparked criticism, as it places the burden on voters to rectify errors caused by official inefficiencies.
As the deadline approaches, affected voters are urged to stay vigilant and prepare for the appeal process to ensure their inclusion in the electoral roll. The ongoing verification efforts will determine whether these procedural gaps can be bridged in time to uphold electoral integrity.
