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Bengal Voter List Shock: 99 Seats See Zero New Voter Applications

The final voters' list published under West Bengal's Special Intensive Revision revealed a startling absence of fresh voter inclusion applications in 99 Assembly constituencies, representing over a third of the state's total seats. The Chief Electoral Officer's office noted that while there is still time for submissions, the current data shows a widespread lack of new registrations during the revision period. Concurrently, the process has led to the deletion of over 61 lakh names, with an additional 60 lakh voter documents pending judicial adjudication, primarily in border districts. Officials attribute the zero applications in many areas to voters ignoring extensive awareness campaigns about the enrollment forms.

Key Points: Zero New Voter Applications in 99 Bengal Assembly Seats

  • No Form-6 applications in 99 seats
  • 61.78 lakh names deleted so far
  • 60 lakh cases under judicial adjudication
  • Nadia district has highest zero-application seats
  • Awareness drives conducted but ignored
3 min read

Bengal SIR: No fresh voters' inclusion application in 99 Assembly seats

Final voter list shows no fresh inclusion applications in 99 West Bengal constituencies during SIR. Over 61 lakh names deleted, 60 lakh under adjudication.

"But still, it seems some voters have ignored the awareness calls, which is evident from zero voters' inclusion applications in so many constituencies - CEO's office insider"

Kolkata, March 1

As the final voters' list in West Bengal as part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision in the state was published, it showed that there has been no fresh voters' inclusion in as many as 99 Assembly constituencies during the entire SIR exercise starting from the beginning of the numeration phase in December last year till the publication of the final voters' list

The final voter list was published on Saturday afternoon.

During this phase, there had been no Form-6 application (form for inclusion), as per statistics available from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

This means that in almost 34 per cent of the total of 294 Assembly constituencies in the state, there has not been a single fresh voters' inclusion application.

However, the sources in the CEO's office said that, given that there is still some time remaining for Form-6 applications to be submitted, the picture might be different at a later stage.

"Applications for inclusion in the electoral roll can be submitted up to the last date for filing nominations for the upcoming Legislative Assembly election. Since polling dates for the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal are yet to be announced, there is substantial time left from the last date of nomination, and hence voters seeking Form-6 applications have substantial time to submit Form-6 applications," the source said.

It is learnt that of the 99 Assembly constituencies where there has not been a single fresh voters' inclusion application during this period, the maximum has been in the case of the Bangladesh-bordering Nadia district, at 14.

The CEO's officer said that since the notification for the revision exercise was announced, the Election Commission has been regularly conducting awareness drives among voters about the significance of the different forms in the exercise. "But still, it seems some voters have ignored the awareness calls, which is evident from zero voters' inclusion applications in so many constituencies in this phase," the CEO's office insider said.

The final voters' list published on Saturday showed that 61,78,245 names have been deleted so far under the SIR process. The number of deletions is expected to rise further, as identity documents of around 60 lakh voters remain under judicial adjudication by the judicial officers appointed by the commission for that purpose.

Official statistics showed that the maximum number of "under adjudication" cases is concentrated in three Bangladesh-bordering districts -- Murshidabad, Malda, and North 24 Parganas. Of these, Murshidabad and Malda are minority-dominated districts.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Maybe people are just happy with the existing list? Or perhaps the process is too complicated? I remember helping my uncle with Form-6 last time, it was not very straightforward. EC should simplify things.
A
Aman W
The high number of deletions (over 61 lakh!) and 60 lakh under adjudication is the bigger story here. Clean rolls are essential for fair elections. Hope the judicial officers do a thorough job, especially in the border districts. 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved to Kolkata for work, I found the voter registration process quite confusing. The article says there's still time, so I'll definitely apply. They need better outreach to young professionals like us.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, I think the focus on "zero applications" is a bit premature. The article itself says there is substantial time left. Many people, including first-time voters, apply closer to the deadline. Let's not jump to conclusions.
N
Nisha Z
The concentration of 'under adjudication' cases in the border districts is telling. Ensuring the integrity of the voter list in these sensitive areas is paramount for national security as well as electoral fairness. Good step by EC.

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