Is the ECI's Claim About Voter Integrity in Bengal Accurate?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India claims no deceased or duplicate voters exist in 2,208 booths across West Bengal, raising skepticism among political parties. Discover the implications of this assertion and the demand for audits amid concerns of voter integrity.
Key Takeaways
- 2,208 booths in West Bengal reportedly have no deceased or duplicate voters.
- The majority are in South 24 Parganas.
- The BJP has raised concerns and requested audits.
- Over 1.25 crore enumeration entries were recorded during the revision.
- Calls for transparency in the electoral process are crucial.
Kolkata, Dec 1 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has reported that as of Monday evening, it has identified 2,208 polling booths in West Bengal that contain no deceased voters or duplicate names registered at multiple locations, nor any voters who have relocated. An insider from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office stated that the highest number of such booths is in South 24 Parganas district with 760 booths, followed by Purulia with 228.
Murshidabad and Malda, both of which have significant minority populations, are in third and fourth place with 226 and 216 booths, respectively.
There are 582 polling booths in the state that have recorded only one case of a deceased or duplicate voter, or a shifted voter. Additionally, 420 booths reported just two such instances.
Despite these findings, the BJP has raised concerns regarding the claim that not a single deceased or duplicate voter was found in these booths. Sajal Ghosh, a BJP leader and councillor from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, expressed skepticism about these figures and called for an immediate review of the enumeration data.
Earlier that day, Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, urged the ECI to conduct a thorough audit of the enumeration entries collected during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on November 26, 27, and 28.
A BJP delegation led by Adhikari visited the CEO's office to file a complaint, demanding an audit of the enumeration forms from those three days. “We are requesting that the audit be carried out by a team of central observers specially assigned by the ECI. The audit should utilize modern technology, as there were a record 1.25 crore entries during these days. This situation raises suspicions of a potential scam that warrants investigation,” Adhikari informed the media after lodging the complaint.
Point of View
The integrity of the electoral process in West Bengal is of utmost importance. The claims made by the Election Commission, while promising, must be scrutinized to ensure transparency and trust within the democratic framework. The call for audits by political leaders signifies the need for vigilance in maintaining electoral integrity.
NationPress
01/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the ECI's findings?
The ECI's findings suggest a potentially clean voter list in 2,208 booths, but political skepticism raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of this data.
Why is the BJP calling for an audit?
The BJP is concerned about the ECI's claims and believes that an audit could uncover discrepancies, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
What districts have the most identified booths without issues?
South 24 Parganas leads with 760 booths, followed by Purulia with 228, and Murshidabad and Malda with 226 and 216 booths respectively.
