Why is Chowringhee Assembly Constituency Leading in Voter Exclusions?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chowringhee has the highest voter exclusion rate in West Bengal.
- Kotulpur shows the lowest exclusions.
- Over 5.8 million voters have been excluded statewide.
- Exclusions are due to various legitimate reasons.
- Accurate electoral rolls are vital for representation.
Kolkata, Dec 17 (NationPress) The release of West Bengal’s draft electoral roll has signified the end of the initial phase of the three-stage Special Intensive Revision (SIR). In this process, the Chowringhee Assembly constituency in North Kolkata has seen the highest rate of voter exclusions, totaling 74,510, while Kotulpur in Bankura district has recorded the lowest with only 5,678 exclusions.
The Chowringhee constituency is represented by Trinamool Congress MLA Nayna Bandyopadhyay, who is also an actress and the spouse of four-term Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Sudip Bandopadhyay.
In contrast, Kotulpur is represented by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Harakali Protiher.
Following Chowringhee, Jorasanko in North Kolkata has the second-highest exclusions at 72,899, represented by Trinamool Congress MLA Vivek Gupta. Ballygunge in South Kolkata has 65,165 exclusions and is held by State Tourism Minister Babul Supriyo, a singer-turned-politician.
The Kolkata Port constituency, which is predominantly minority-populated and situated on the northern outskirts of the city, has recorded 63,717 exclusions, represented by Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, who is also the Mayor of Kolkata.
Additional constituencies with significant exclusions include Howrah Uttar with 60,436, Beleghata with 56,493, Kashipur-Belghachhia with 53,493, and Shyampukur with 42,304. Howrah Uttar is located in the adjacent Howrah district, while the others are within Kolkata.
On the flip side, apart from Kotulpur, the constituencies with the lowest voter exclusions include Pataspur in East Midnapore district at 6,418, Karimpur in Nadia district at 6,559, and Nandakumar and Mahishadal (both in East Midnapore district) with 6,651 and 6,680, respectively.
Across all 294 Assembly constituencies in the state, the total number of excluded voters stands at 5,820,899. These exclusions encompass deceased voters, those who have moved, untraceable voters, duplicate entries, and voters removed for other legitimate reasons.