Why is ECI Planning to Remove 43 Lakh Names from Bengal's Electoral Rolls?
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Synopsis
As the Election Commission of India gears up to unveil a revised voters' list, a staggering 43.30 lakh names are projected for removal, raising eyebrows and prompting political scrutiny. This significant change is a part of the ongoing digitisation efforts and could alter the electoral landscape in West Bengal. Stay informed as we delve deeper into the implications of this decision.
Key Takeaways
- 43.30 lakh names projected for removal from voters' list.
- The draft voters' list will be published on December 16.
- Majority of removed names are deceased voters, around 21.45 lakh.
- Political scrutiny from the BJP regarding the accuracy of the data.
- Ongoing digitisation aims to enhance electoral integrity.
Kolkata, Dec 2 (NationPress) In line with the ongoing shift towards digitisation of enumeration forms gathered by booth-level officers (BLOs), the Election Commission of India (ECI) anticipates that approximately 43.30 lakh names will be omitted from the draft voters' list, which is scheduled for publication on December 16.
Sources from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office in West Bengal indicated that this projected number is derived from the digitisation trends observed until Monday evening, suggesting that the final count may rise as the digitisation process is finalized.
The total voter count in West Bengal, according to the electoral roll as of October 27, stands at 7,66,37,529.
Insiders from the CEO's office revealed that of the 43.30 lakh names earmarked for removal from the voters' list, the majority, around 21.45 lakh, are deceased voters. Furthermore, approximately 5.5 lakh voters are deemed untraceable.
The figures for voters who have relocated are around 15.10 lakh, with nearly one lakh identified as bogus or fake voters. The status of untraceable voters may evolve as some currently classified as 'untraceable' could be found later, according to the CEO office's sources.
As of Monday evening, the ECI has pinpointed 2,208 polling booths in West Bengal that do not contain any deceased voters, duplicate voters with names recorded in multiple locations, or any voters who have moved away.
Interestingly, at least 2,208 polling booths in West Bengal have been confirmed to lack any deceased, duplicate, or relocated voters.
However, the BJP has raised questions regarding the accuracy of the claim that there are no deceased or duplicate voters in so many booths and has called for a thorough review of the enumeration forms collected from these locations.
On Monday, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, urged the ECI to conduct an audit on the enumeration entries for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state, particularly for the days of November 26, 27, and 28, when a record 1.25 crore entries were recorded.
Point of View
The ongoing digitisation efforts by the Election Commission of India are a necessary step towards ensuring a more accurate electoral roll. However, the substantial number of names set to be removed raises concerns about the integrity and accuracy of the data. It is crucial for the ECI to maintain transparency in this process to uphold public trust.
NationPress
02/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ECI removing 43 lakh names from the electoral rolls?
The ECI is removing these names as part of its digitisation efforts, aiming to ensure that the electoral rolls are accurate and up-to-date.
What is the total number of voters in West Bengal?
As of October 27, the total number of voters in West Bengal is 7,66,37,529.
How many deceased voters are included in the removals?
Approximately 21.45 lakh names identified for removal correspond to deceased voters.
What are the concerns raised by the BJP regarding this process?
The BJP has expressed skepticism about the claim that there are no deceased or duplicate voters in many polling booths and has called for a review of the enumeration forms.
When will the draft voters' list be published?
The draft voters' list is scheduled to be published on December 16.
