Over 34% of Voters in West Bengal Classified as 'Excludable'
Synopsis
In West Bengal, a significant 34% of voters have been marked as 'excludable' following the completion of their adjudication process. This alarming statistic from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office raises questions about electoral integrity as the state prepares for upcoming Assembly polls.
Key Takeaways
34% of voters in West Bengal classified as excludable.
60 lakh voters were referred for judicial adjudication.
Adjudication process completed for 23.30 lakh voters.
First supplementary list expected this week.
Upcoming Assembly polls on April 23 and April 29 .
Kolkata, March 18 (NationPress) A staggering 34 per cent of voters in West Bengal, whose judicial adjudication processes were finalized by Wednesday night, have been deemed ‘excludable’ from the electoral rolls.
An official from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal reported that out of 60 lakh voters whose cases were flagged for judicial review due to “logical discrepancies,” 23.30 lakh have undergone the adjudication process thus far.
“From the 23.30 lakh cases processed, eight lakh voters have been marked as excludable. This indicates that over 34 per cent of the voters whose adjudication has concluded have been classified as excludable by the judicial officers,” the CEO office source conveyed.
The definitive electoral roll for West Bengal, excluding the 60 lakh cases pending judicial review, was published on February 28. Following the Supreme Court's directives, supplementary lists will be released in phases as the adjudication progresses.
The first supplementary list is anticipated to be published later this week. Presently, 732 judicial officers, including 100 each from neighboring Jharkhand and Odisha, are engaged in completing the adjudication.
In a recent update, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the appointment of Murli Dhar, a 2005-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the West Bengal cadre and the current Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police, as the police observer for Tamil Nadu, which is also gearing up for Assembly elections this year.
The two-phase elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and April 29. The first phase will see voting in 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase will cover 142 constituencies.
Point of View
It is crucial to observe that the identification of over 34% of voters as excludable raises important concerns about electoral integrity and the judicial process in West Bengal. Such developments necessitate a careful examination of the implications for democracy in the region.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'excludable' mean in this context?
In this context, 'excludable' refers to voters who have been identified through the judicial adjudication process as not eligible to be included in the electoral rolls.
How many voters were referred for judicial adjudication?
A total of 60 lakh voters were referred for judicial adjudication due to identified discrepancies.
When will the next supplementary list be published?
The first supplementary list is expected to be published later this week.
What are the dates for the upcoming Assembly polls in West Bengal?
The Assembly polls in West Bengal will take place on April 23 and April 29.
Who is the police observer for Tamil Nadu?
Murli Dhar, a 2005-batch IPS officer and current Commissioner of Bidhannagar Police, has been appointed as the police observer for Tamil Nadu.
