Approximately 91 lakh people in the state of West Bengal are going through an identity crisis as their names have been deleted from the voter’s list. For a common person, it is not only about casting their vote, but it is also their identity in the country. Now, almost 9,083,345 citizens stand to lose their identity.
The deletion of names from the voter list, as revealed in the last list published by the Election Commission, has alarmed not only the political parties but also millions of families residing in the border areas of the state. It means that they will be termed illegal residents of their own country.
Murshidabad is one of those regions where the most impact of the decision has been seen as 4,55,137 names have been deleted from the list. North 24 Parganas is the second-highest affected area as 3,25,666 names have been crossed out from the list. Other border regions include Cooch Behar, Uttar Dinajpur, Malda, and South 24 Parganas.
The above mentioned exercise was conducted using SIR. Total 60,06,675 cases were pending under judicial review out of which 59,84,512 cases have already been reviewed. Out of which 27,16,393 voters have been marked as non-entitled voters and their names have been removed from the list of entitled voters. Furthermore, total 22,163 such cases have been decided but digital signature was pending.
In addition, the Election Commission has stated that those who have been deleted will be given an opportunity to contest in the appeal process and apply again.
Conversely, Assembly elections in West Bengal are imminent. The first phase of the election will be held on April 23 for 152 seats while second phase of the election will be held on April 29 for 142 seats and the results will be declared on May 4.
