Kolkata Voter List Update: Mixed Reactions to First Supplementary Roll
The publication of the first supplementary voter list late on Monday night in Kolkata has elicited a range of emotions among electors, from relief to ongoing anxiety. While some individuals successfully cleared the judicial scrutiny process and found their names included, a significant number remain in limbo, awaiting clarity on their voter status as they could not locate their names on the list.
Relief for Some Electors After Clearing Adjudication
For those who managed to pass the adjudication test, the supplementary list brought a welcome respite. Anubhav Das, an MBBS student at SSKM Hospital residing in Ballygunge, expressed his relief upon discovering his name on the electoral roll. He had been shocked earlier to find himself listed as 'under adjudication' without receiving any hearing call, making this outcome a positive surprise.
Similarly, Siddiq Azam Khan and his family members experienced relief after their names were included in the supplementary list. Khan highlighted the perplexing inclusion of an appeal option in the notification, questioning why he would be aggrieved to find his name on the list, given the favorable outcome.
Persistent Anxiety and Administrative Hurdles
However, for many electors, the anxiety continues unabated. Md Nazmul Islam Khan, a resident of New Town, found his name on the list but remains uncertain about the fate of his mother and brother. He voiced frustration over a clerical error in his name entry, which led to unnecessary harassment despite having no role in the mistake.
Others, like Dipali Mal, a domestic help in Shyambazar originally from Birbhum, did not find their names on the list at all. Mal expressed deep anxiety over her adjudication status, citing a lack of knowledge on how to check her name, which adds to the distress of potential disenfranchisement.
Technical Glitches and Lack of Clarity
The process has been marred by technical issues, further complicating matters. Ananta Ghosh, a voter from Shyampukur, reported that the website for accessing the list was not functioning properly, leaving many in the dark. Even attempts to contact Booth Level Officers (BLOs) proved futile, as they were unable to provide clear answers.
Party workers also faced challenges, with a TMC worker in Cossipore-Belgachhia noting that over 5,000 voters were under adjudication in their constituency, but downloading the list was impossible due to website malfunctions. This has hindered efforts to assist voters and verify details efficiently.
Calls for Accountability and Resolution
Md Mustafa, another New Town resident, emphasized the exceptional nature of the situation, as he and his mother remain under adjudication. Meanwhile, Professor Afroza Khatun, an elector from Survey Park, recounted her ordeal of attending hearings and submitting documents to correct a spelling error from the 2002 roll, only to find herself on the adjudication list again. She labeled this as harassment, calling for greater administrative accountability.
As voters await the next supplementary list scheduled for Friday, the mixed outcomes highlight the need for improved transparency and technical reliability in the electoral process to ensure all eligible citizens can exercise their voting rights without undue stress.
