Kolkata Voters Granted Right to Appeal Tribunal Decisions on Electoral Roll Exclusions
In Kolkata, individuals designated as 'under adjudication' on the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) list who find themselves omitted from the forthcoming supplementary electoral roll will have the opportunity to file appeals against judicial officials' orders. This process can be initiated either online or offline through newly established appellate tribunals.
Supplementary List Publication and Security Measures
The first supplementary electoral roll is scheduled for publication by 8 pm on Monday, as confirmed by Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal on Saturday. Judicial officials have already resolved over 27 lakh cases related to voter inclusion or exclusion. In anticipation of potential gatherings, Nabanna has directed District Magistrates to implement crowd management strategies prior to the list's release. Senior police officers, including Superintendents of Police and Commissioners, have been instructed to maintain vigilance at vulnerable points and ensure public order is upheld.
Appeal Procedures and Tribunal Formation
According to an Election Commission notification, appeals against judicial orders can be submitted directly via the ECINET online platform or physically at the offices of District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, or Sub-Divisional Officers. These officials will subsequently upload the appeals to the portal. On Friday, the commission established 19 appellate tribunals specifically to hear petitions concerning the inclusion or exclusion of prospective voters in the electoral roll.
A senior EC official clarified that appellants are not required to engage legal representation. "Individuals whose names fail to clear judicial adjudication can themselves approach the tribunal after the supplementary list is published," he stated, emphasizing that no additional documents need to be filed. "The tribunal will re-examine cases disposed of by judicial officers. As all relevant documents are already part of the case records, appellants won't need to submit any additional paper. The appellate authority will verify if due process, prescribed by the apex court, was followed. In most cases, hearings may not even be needed."
Operational Delays and Booth Level Officer Assistance
However, the tribunals are expected to face some delays in becoming fully operational, as offices have not yet been set up and staff members remain unassigned. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across Kolkata reported that they have not received official instructions from the EC regarding their role in the tribunal process. A BLO from north Kolkata mentioned, "This morning, my supervisor told me that I might have to assist some voters in making their appeals to the tribunal."
Despite the lack of formal directives, many BLOs expressed willingness to voluntarily assist voters in filing appeals if they fail to pass judicial scrutiny. A BLO from south Kolkata explained, "I have about 23 voters placed under adjudication and some of them submitted all the requisite documents during the hearing. If I find any of them missing from the supplementary list, I will consult the Electoral Registration Officer or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer to learn how to make an appeal in the tribunal."
Voter Reliance on BLOs for Guidance
Numerous electors indicated they would depend on their BLOs for assistance, viewing them as key contacts since the SIR drive commenced in November. Rishav Ganguly, a resident of Scott Lane, stated, "I don't know anything about the tribunal or the tribunal appeal process if my name does not appear. I will have to reach out to the BLO." This highlights the crucial role BLOs play in bridging the gap between voters and the electoral system, especially in navigating complex procedures like tribunal appeals.
