The Supreme Court of India has declined to entertain petitions from election duty officers who were allegedly excluded from voter rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. This ruling was delivered on April 24, by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.

During the session, the counsel for the petitioners argued that individuals assigned to election duties were being denied their rights to vote. In response, Chief Justice Kant advised them to address the issue before the Appellate Tribunal, emphasising that the court could not alter its orders on a daily basis.

Justice Joymalya Bagchi further noted that while the petitioners might face difficulties voting this year, their more fundamental right to remain on the voter rolls would be thoroughly examined by the court.

Changes in Voter Rolls Amid SIR Exercise

The SIR exercise has led to significant alterations in the voter rolls of West Bengal. Currently, the total number of registered voters is approximately 7,04,59,284 (7.04 crore), a decrease from the previous figure of 7,66,37,529 (7.66 crore). This highlights a change involving more than 61 lakh names within the list.

Reports indicate that around 27 lakh names were eliminated during the adjudication process that formed part of this exercise. This substantial reduction has raised concerns, particularly among those affected who were awaiting confirmation of their voting status.

The SIR is designed to update and correct the electoral rolls, ensuring that the lists are accurate and reflect the current eligible voter demographic. However, the deletion of large numbers of names has sparked ongoing discussions about the effectiveness and fairness of the process.

Voter Turnout in West Bengal Assembly Elections

An outstanding feature of the voting was the strong participation of women, whose turnout reached an impressive 92.69 per cent, surpassing that of men, who recorded 90.92 per cent. This shift illustrates a growing trend towards increased female electoral engagement in the region.

Additionally, the Election Commission reported significant turnout from transgender persons, with a participation rate of 56.79 per cent. Such trends indicate a widening inclusivity in the electoral process, contributing to a more representative democracy.

The second phase of the Assembly elections is scheduled to take place on April 29, with votes set to be counted on May 4. These upcoming dates are expected to draw further public interest and participation as the election process continues in West Bengal.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share