Congress to Hold Protest in Kolkata Over Voter List Issues Ahead of Elections
Synopsis
The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee announces a protest over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, demanding an error-free voter list ahead of the assembly elections. This movement highlights concerns regarding the treatment of legitimate voters and potential exclusions.
Key Takeaways
Protest Announcement: Congress to protest in Kolkata against SIR.
Error-Free Voter List: Demands for a flawless list ahead of elections.
Concerns Raised: Allegations of voter harassment and exclusions.
Legal Intervention: Courts involved due to Election Commission's decisions.
Escalation of Agitation: More protests planned in the coming days.
New Delhi, Feb 27 (NationPress) The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) is set to stage a protest in Kolkata on Friday, as part of their ongoing movement against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, just ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
The Congress party is insisting on the release of a flawless voter list, voicing concerns over significant irregularities in the current SIR process.
WBPCC President Subhankar Sarkar has declared a 24-hour sit-in commencing at 2 p.m. on Friday in front of the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Kolkata to emphasize their demands.
Sarkar reiterated the party's stance from the beginning that no legitimate voter's name should be omitted, nor should any fraudulent names be added. However, he claimed that the SIR initiative, which kicked off on November 4 of the previous year, has resulted in the maltreatment of genuine voters and raised concerns about widespread exclusions.
Sarkar stated, "From the start, we have been adamant that no eligible voter's name should be removed and no fake names should be introduced to the voters' list. Yet, the administration of the SIR over the past four months has caused undue harassment for legitimate voters and has sparked fears of extensive name deletions."
The State Congress President reported that over one crore voters have been affected based on alleged 'logical discrepancies', the legal legitimacy of which has been challenged.
Sarkar also highlighted that the judiciary has been compelled to intervene repeatedly due to certain decisions made by the Election Commission.
The Congress party is planning to escalate their protests in the forthcoming days, demanding that the final voter list under SIR be published by February 28, ensuring that no authentic voter's name is excluded based on 'logical discrepancies', and that the powers of electoral registration officers remain intact.
Additionally, all applications submitted through Forms 6, 7, and 8 should be addressed with proper hearings, and a clear schedule along with guidelines should be provided to eligible voters who were mistakenly excluded, ensuring completion prior to the nomination process.
Point of View
The voices of constituents must be heard to uphold democratic values.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for Congress's protest in Kolkata?
The Congress is protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing concerns over inaccuracies and the potential exclusion of legitimate voters.
When will the protest take place?
The protest is scheduled for Friday, starting at 2 p.m.
What are the key demands of the Congress party?
The key demands include the publication of an error-free voter list by February 28 and ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded based on alleged discrepancies.
Who is leading the protest?
The protest is being led by WBPCC President Subhankar Sarkar.
What actions does the Congress plan to take after the protest?
The Congress plans to escalate their agitation with several demands regarding the electoral process and voter registration.
