The name of Sahidullah Munshi, a former judge of the Calcutta High Court and current chairperson of the West Bengal Board of Auqaf, has been removed from the state’s electoral roll following an adjudication process conducted by judicial officers.
The decision comes after the Election Commission of India (ECI) carried out a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal, during which millions of entries were reviewed.
Deletion After Adjudication Raises Questions
Speaking on the development, Sahidullah Munshi expressed surprise at the deletion of his name, stating that he had submitted multiple identity documents, including his passport, PAN card, and earlier electoral records.
He noted that while his name has been removed, the names of his wife and elder son remain under adjudication, and his younger son has been successfully registered as a new voter.
Munshi also said he had attended a hearing and was initially assured that his documents were in order. However, the case was later marked for adjudication, leading to the deletion.
Large-Scale Electoral Roll Revision
The revision process saw more than 6 million names removed from the electoral roll, with approximately 70 million voters retained in the updated list.
According to officials, over 3.2 million cases have already been processed, with nearly 35–40% of those names deleted after adjudication.
To handle disputes, the Election Commission of India has set up 19 appellate tribunals across the state, where individuals can challenge decisions related to voter eligibility.
Next Steps: Appeal Process
Sahidullah Munshi stated that he plans to file an appeal before the appropriate tribunal, noting that no clear reason has been provided for the deletion of his name.
Political Reactions
The development has triggered political reactions in the state. Leaders from the Trinamool Congress criticised the voter list revision, alleging bias in the process and questioning its fairness.
In contrast, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party declined to comment directly, stating that the matter falls under the purview of the Election Commission.
Ongoing Concerns Over Electoral Transparency
The large-scale revision and deletion of voter names have raised broader concerns about transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral process, particularly ahead of upcoming elections.
Officials have maintained that the process is being carried out as per legal procedures, with provisions in place for affected individuals to seek redress through appeals.
