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Bengal Poll Row: Why EC's Silence on 5 Key Questions Raises Alarm

A Trinamool delegation has accused the Election Commission of failing to answer five crucial questions about Bengal's voter revision process. The party claims the EC ignored repeated warnings about the impossibility of completing the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Leaders highlighted human casualties among booth-level officers and common citizens due to the revision pressure. The delegation questioned why only Bengal was being targeted while BJP-ruled border states remained untouched by similar drives.

Key Points: Trinamool Questions EC Over Bengal Voter List Revision Process

  • EC failed to explain why only Bengal targeted while other border states untouched
  • No clarity on whether 2024 Lok Sabha voter list was faulty or illegal
  • Commission silent on responsibility for BLO deaths under revision pressure
  • Trinamool accuses EC of partisan bias favoring BJP in revision process
3 min read

Trinamool delegation to EC says CEC 'failed to answer five crucial questions' on Bengal SIR

Trinamool delegation accuses Election Commission of failing to answer crucial questions about Bengal's voter revision, citing human toll and political bias in the process.

"These horrifying incidents expose a chilling truth: the BJP, aided by a pliant Election Commission, is willing to sacrifice human lives for power - Derek O'Brien"

Kolkata, Nov 28

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar 'failed' to answer five crucial questions raised by the Trinamool Congress on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission in West Bengal, claimed members of a 10-member Trinamool delegation that visited the ECI headquarters in Delhi to highlight their observations on the revision exercise in the state.

According to the leader of the delegation and leader of the Trinamool Congress' Parliamentary party in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien, the commission ignored repeated warnings from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the party's general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, that completing the SIR process was impossible.

"Yet the ECI ignored repeated warnings on this count, and the human toll continued while following the commission's orders that clearly prioritise partisan advantage over life and fairness. These horrifying incidents expose a chilling truth: the BJP, aided by a pliant Election Commission, is willing to sacrifice human lives for power," O'Brien said.

He said the ECI had no answer to whether the real intention of the SIR was to detect fake voters or so-called "infiltrators", and why Bengal was being targeted while other border states remained untouched.

The second unanswered question, according to O'Brien, was whether the voters' list on which the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were conducted was faulty -- and whether the current Union Cabinet, elected on the basis of that list, could be declared illegal.

According to four-time Lok Sabha member and deputy leader of the Trinamool Congress's Parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, Satabdi Roy, the ECI had no answer on whether it would take responsibility for booth-level officers (BLOs) and some common people in West Bengal who died under "inhuman pressure" and "panic" arising from the revision exercise.

"Will the Election Commission take responsibility? Why is the Commission refusing to allow 'Bangla Sahayata Kendra' staff to assist with data-entry tasks?" questioned the actress-turned-politician.

She also accused the ECI of bending to benefit the BJP and completely ignoring the concerns of the opposition.

Two-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra claimed the commission had no clue about the number of BLOs who have committed suicide, unable to bear the pressure of the SIR-related workload.

"They do not know how many citizens have been pushed to despair. And when asked why this so-called drive against infiltrators is being forced only on Bengal, while BJP-ruled border states like Assam, Tripura and Arunachal remain untouched, the ECI had no explanation," Moitra added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Very concerning that CEC couldn't answer basic questions about BLO deaths and the purpose of this exercise. EC should maintain neutrality, not become a political tool. Democracy needs strong institutions.
S
Sarah B
As someone who works in election management, I must say - while TMC has valid concerns, they should also ensure their party workers cooperate with EC procedures. Both sides need to work together for fair elections.
A
Arjun K
The fact that EC can't even tell how many BLOs have committed suicide due to pressure is shocking! These are real people with families. Election process shouldn't cost lives. EC must answer for this tragedy.
M
Michael C
If the 2024 Lok Sabha voters list was faulty as TMC claims, that's a constitutional crisis. Either prove it or stop making such serious allegations. Both BJP and TMC playing politics with democracy.
K
Kavya N
Why refuse Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff assistance? If the goal is clean electoral rolls, more hands should be welcome. This looks like deliberate harassment of Bengal. EC losing credibility fast. 🤦‍♀️

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