TMC urges electoral body to protect voter rights ahead of West Bengal bypolls

A senior Trinamool Congress MP has urged the Election Commission of India to guarantee that eligible voters are not denied their franchise rights during the forthcoming West Bengal bypolls, citing widespread concerns over voter roll discrepancies.

The appeal comes against the backdrop of a substantial surge in petitions challenging voter deletions. According to the TMC leader's statement, approximately 25 lakh appeals have been filed before Special Intake and Review (SIR) tribunals since names were struck off the electoral register.

The massive number of appeals underscores growing concerns among political parties and voters about the accuracy of the voter list in the state. Such challenges typically arise when names are deleted due to duplicate entries, death of voters, or relocation, but can also occur due to administrative errors.

The Election Commission has faced increased scrutiny in recent elections regarding the management of electoral rolls, particularly in states where bypolls and general elections have witnessed disputes over voter registration and deletion procedures. The TMC's intervention reflects broader efforts by political parties to safeguard democratic participation.

As West Bengal prepares for the bypolls, the resolution of pending appeals and verification of voter eligibility will be critical to ensuring a transparent electoral process and maintaining public confidence in the democratic exercise.