A significant update has emerged regarding the revision of the voter list in West Bengal. According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), around 15 lakh voters out of nearly 60 lakh whose names were placed under “adjudication” have already been verified and disposed of. The verification process is currently being conducted under the supervision of judges, following directions from the Supreme Court.
The development comes amid intense scrutiny of the voter list revision process in the state. Officials said the verification is being carried out carefully to ensure accuracy, with judicial officers examining documents submitted by the voters whose names were placed in the pending category.
As part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, the Election Commission had earlier removed around 63 lakh names from the voter list in West Bengal. According to the Commission, these names were deleted for various reasons — including voters being deceased, having shifted residence, remaining untraceable, or having duplicate registrations in multiple locations.
However, another 60,06,675 voters were placed under the “adjudication” or pending category, meaning their eligibility required further verification. Acting on the approval of the Supreme Court, judges appointed for the SIR process are now examining the documents and records submitted by these voters before taking a final decision.
Sources indicate that judicial officers from Odisha and Jharkhand have also been brought in to assist in the verification process, speeding up the scrutiny of voter details across districts.
Data from the first phase of the revised voter list reveals that Murshidabad and Malda districts have the highest number of voters under adjudication. In Malda, the total number of registered voters currently stands at 29,86,203, while 8,28,080 names from the district remain under the pending category.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also directed the formation of tribunals to examine complaints and objections related to the voter list. These tribunals are expected to include former Chief Justices and other senior judges.
Importantly, the bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant has made it clear that the Election Commission cannot interfere in the verification process conducted by judges appointed by the Calcutta High Court. As a result, the adjudication process is now progressing strictly under judicial supervision.
Leave a Reply