30 days left for Bengal polling, Bhabanipur voters unsure over names in list

With elections nearing, confusion over missing voter lists in a key Bengal constituency leaves thousands anxious about their status, raising questions over access, transparency and the fate of their voting rights.

In Short

• Controversy rises over missing supplementary voter lists in Bhabanipur
• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenges delay and alleges selective scrutiny
• Voters express fear and stress over their electoral status

With just 30 days to go for the April 29 election, a controversy over missing supplementary voter lists has triggered anxiety in the high-stakes Bhabanipur constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faces Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Nearly 60 lakh voters across the state fall under the category of “under adjudication”, with a supplementary SIR list covering 29 lakh voters released so far, according to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal. However, more than 72 hours after its release, the list remains unavailable in several locations, including Bhabanipur.

SECOND LIST RELEASED, ACCESS ISSUES PERSIST

In a late-night development, the Election Commission released a second updated supplementary voter list around 11.30 PM on Friday. However, much like the first list published earlier this week, the latest version is also not fully accessible online due to technical glitches.

The continued lack of access has deepened confusion among voters, many of whom are still unable to verify whether their names have been included or excluded.

MISSING LISTS FUEL UNCERTAINTY

The supplementary list is meant to indicate whose names are included, excluded or require an appeal before a tribunal set up by the Kolkata High Court. Yet in Bhabanipur, the list is missing from most polling booths, leaving voters unable to verify their status.

Even Booth Level Officers have complained that they have not received hard copies of the list, adding to the confusion on the ground.

MAMATA RAISES PITCH

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly objected to the situation. “If you have the guts, I challenge you to release the supplementary list first. Let the people know whose names are included and whose are not. No one has the right to snatch away the democratic rights of the people,” she said.

“What is currently transpiring would put even Hitler to shame. Furthermore, it appears that through a process of selective scrutiny lakhs of names belonging to specific communities have been struck off the rolls,” she added.

PANJA’S NAME CLEARED IN SECOND LIST

In a key development, Bengal minister Dr Sashi Panja’s name has been cleared in the second supplementary voter list released late Friday night.

Her name had earlier been placed under “under adjudication” in the final list published by the Election Commission on February 28, raising uncertainty over her candidature from the Shyampukur seat.

With her name now included in the updated list, the immediate concerns over her eligibility for the upcoming election have been addressed.

VOTERS SPEAK OF FEAR AND STRESS

Residents in Bhabanipur say the uncertainty is taking a toll.

Salim Ali Laskar, 42, whose family has lived in the area for decades, said, “I was born right here in this locality Bhabanipur. There was a minor issue regarding my name, and a hearing was held to address it. Yet, I remain in the dark. How is this even possible? I am deeply worried.”

Sheikh Kamaruddin, another resident, fears for his children’s future. “My parents everyone in my family are long standing voters. I never imagined that I would fail to find my name on the list in this manner. I simply do not know what lies ahead.”

Pankaj Ram, a long-time voter, echoed similar concerns. “The Commission has already published the list, so why are we unable to access it? Naturally, I am under a great deal of stress.”

Mohammad Sabir questioned the process, saying, “I possess a passport, yet the Commission still seems unable to accept that I am a legitimate voter. We are ordinary citizens; we simply cannot comprehend what kind of political maneuvering is at play here.”

NUMBERS RAISE POLITICAL HEAT

In Bhabanipur alone, 47,094 names have been excluded from the final supplementary electoral roll. According to Trinamool Congress BLA Sanjay Chakraborty, around 14,000 people in the constituency fall under the ‘under adjudication’ category, with a large number from the Muslim community.

“This entire affair is nothing but a political game,” he said.

COMMISSION RESPONDS

Responding to the concerns, Roll Observer Subrata Gupta from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said the delay was procedural.

“The electoral rolls for all Assembly constituencies have not yet been released. The lists for specific booths or constituencies where the designated Judicial Officers have not yet affixed their signatures remain unpublished. Once the signing process is complete, the respective lists will be made public,” he said.

RACE AGAINST TIME

With the clock ticking towards April 29, the absence and limited accessibility of the supplementary lists have left thousands uncertain about their voting rights. Those not included will have to approach the appellate tribunal formed by the Kolkata High Court.

For many in Bhabanipur, the delay has turned the election into a test not just of political strength, but of access to the ballot itself.

- Ends