Tensions are rising in West Bengal’s pre-election scenario as Congress gears up for a high-profile protest today against irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party is demanding a spotless voter list, free from deletions or fakes, to safeguard democracy.
Subhankar Sarkar, head of the state Congress unit, has called for a 24-hour protest vigil beginning 2 PM at the Kolkata office of the Chief Election Officer. Sarkar stressed that the party has always championed protecting legitimate voters while weeding out fraud.
Launched on November 4, the SIR has drawn sharp criticism for troubling real voters and sparking fears of bulk name cuts, Sarkar charged. Over a crore electorates have undergone scrutiny for alleged ‘logical discrepancies,’ actions whose legal standing is hotly contested.
He didn’t mince words on the Election Commission’s missteps, which have necessitated court interventions on multiple occasions. Congress’s broadened campaign seeks the final roll’s publication by February 28, bans on arbitrary removals, preservation of officials’ powers, and meticulous handling of claim forms.
Further, they want dedicated drives to restore deleted genuine voters with precise protocols ahead of nomination deadlines. Adding to the mix, the Calcutta High Court stepped in Thursday, requisitioning 200 judicial officers from Odisha and Jharkhand courts to scrutinize flagged voter documents.
This protest wave signals Congress’s aggressive push to clean up Bengal’s voter rolls, amid accusations of systemic failures that could disenfranchise millions.