ElectoralRoll – West Bengal Final Voter List Set for Release
ElectoralRoll – The process of hearing objections related to discrepancies found during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal has been completed, clearing the path for the release of the final voters’ list on Saturday.
Election authorities had initiated the revision exercise in November last year to clean up the state’s electoral database. During the scrutiny, officials identified over 58 lakh entries that were deemed ineligible. These included names of deceased individuals, voters who had shifted residences, and duplicate registrations. All such entries were removed from the draft roll published in December.
New Categories Introduced in Final List
The final electoral roll will introduce two additional classifications to bring greater clarity to the process. Alongside verified voters, the list will now include “under adjudication” and “deleted” categories.
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal stated that individuals whose documents are still undergoing scrutiny will be placed in the “under adjudication” section. These cases are currently being examined by judicial officers appointed specifically for this purpose, following directions from the Supreme Court.
According to Agarwal, the names of these voters will remain in this separate category until a formal decision is reached regarding their eligibility.
Supplementary Lists to Follow
Officials indicated that supplementary lists will be issued later to include the names of voters who receive clearance during the adjudication process. Once the judicial review concludes in their favor, these individuals will be restored to the main electoral roll.
The “deleted” category, meanwhile, will contain the names of those excluded throughout the Special Intensive Revision exercise. This section will list individuals whose entries were removed due to confirmed ineligibility, such as duplication or verification failures.
Election department sources explained that creating distinct categories is intended to ensure transparency and provide voters with clear information about their status in the electoral database.
Pending Decisions on Logical Discrepancies
Despite the completion of hearings, some cases remain unresolved. A number of entries were flagged under what officials termed “logical discrepancies.” These issues reportedly arose during a data-mapping exercise that examined family linkages within the voter database.
In several instances, irregularities were detected in family tree information, prompting further review. Authorities have yet to announce a final decision regarding these entries. Officials confirmed that such cases are being carefully evaluated before any definitive action is taken.
Impact on Overall Voter Numbers
At the time the Special Intensive Revision was announced, West Bengal had approximately 7.66 crore registered voters. Following the removal of more than 58 lakh entries, the draft electoral roll released in December reflected a reduced figure of 7.08 crore voters.
The publication of the final list will mark the conclusion of one of the most extensive voter roll verification exercises conducted in the state in recent years. Election officials maintain that the objective of the revision was to enhance accuracy and credibility within the electoral system.
With the final roll scheduled for release, political parties and voters alike are expected to review the updated records closely. The Election Commission has reiterated that the revision process was carried out in accordance with established legal procedures and judicial oversight to safeguard fairness.
The updated voters’ list will now serve as the official electoral database for upcoming polls in the state, subject to any further revisions mandated by law or court directives.