Where do we appeal: West Bengal voters hit by SIR cry out for help

KOLKATA: The 15-day deadline mentioned in the supplementary list to file appeals has caused anxiety among voters, with the appellate tribunals yet to start functioning.

Every page of the list states: "Any person aggrieved by the inclusion of any entry in the said supplementary list may prefer an appeal within 15 days, in online or offline mode, before the appellate tribunal as notified by the Election Commission of India vide notification dated March 20, 2026." The list was published at the midnight on March 23, and the deadline for filing an appeal is April 7. However, even after three days, those whose names were deleted remained confused about the next step.

Birju Sonkar, a resident of Burrabazar, said four out of the seven members of his family had their names deleted following the judicial adjudication. They have been voting since 2013; before that, they did not have voter cards. Neither he nor his family members have any idea about the procedures that need to be followed. "The BLO told me that the EC has deleted our names and we cannot vote."

Majida Bibi Mandal's (60) name was deleted due to an age mismatch with her father. Since she was already very panicked as her name was under adjudication, her family members did not inform her about it even three days after the supplementary list was published. Her daughter, Rupa Khatun, is confused about the procedure to be followed now. "I am clueless about whether I should download Form 6 for my mother to apply as a fresh voter."

Rojina Khatun, a villager from East Burdwan, said both she and her husband were under adjudication. While her husband's name appeared on the list, hers was deleted. "I do not know what procedure I am supposed to follow. I asked the second BLO of this area, and he told me to keep all papers ready, including my grandfather's house deed. I did that, but will this make any difference?"

The EC, on March 21, constituted 19 appellate tribunals to hear appeals related to inclusion or exclusion of names in the state's roll. According to a notification, appeals can be submitted online through the ECINET platform or in person at the offices of the DM/SDM/SDO, who will ensure digitisation and upload the appeal on the portal. "The facility to file an appeal has not started yet. It will start upon approval by the Calcutta High Court. Let the tribunals be set up first," an official said. The EC asked the state to provide office space for the tribunals. "The tribunals will re-examine cases already disposed of by judicial officers. Since relevant documents are already part of the case records, appellants won't need to submit any additional papers. The appellate authority will only verify whether due process, in line with the SC directions, has been followed," the official said.

(Inputs from Kaushik Pradhan)