Rights group raises concern over electoral roll deletions in North 24 Parganas

By A Representative 

A rights organisation has approached the Election Commission of India alleging large-scale irregularities in the deletion of voters’ names from the electoral rolls in Swarupnagar Assembly Constituency of North 24 Parganas district in West Bengal, raising concerns over due process and disenfranchisement.

In a formal complaint submitted on April 20, Kirity Roy, Secretary of Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) and National Convenor of the Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity (PACTI), urged the Commission to intervene in what he described as “a matter of grave constitutional concern involving the arbitrary deletion of names of bona fide Indian citizens from the electoral roll.” Roy alleged that the actions of electoral authorities reflected “serious procedural irregularities, violation of statutory safeguards, and a pattern of disenfranchisement of marginalized citizens.”

The complaint centres on alleged deletions from Part 89 of the Swarupnagar (SC) Assembly Constituency, where 43 names were reportedly removed within a short period, including 40 deletions on March 23, 2026. According to the submission, the deletions disproportionately affected members of marginalised communities.

Roy cited specific cases to illustrate the issue. In the case of Amirul Sahaji, whose name was previously included in the electoral roll and supported by documented family linkage to registered voters, the complaint states that his name was removed following an adjudication dated March 28, 2026, allegedly without due process. Similarly, Asma Sahaji, whose identity is backed by official records including birth registration, Aadhaar and ration card details, was also removed from the rolls under an adjudication dated March 23, 2026. The complaint alleges that in both cases, no notice, hearing, or reasoned order was provided.

Roy argued that such deletions violate provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and constitutional guarantees under Articles 14 and 326. He stated that “eligible voters have been removed from the electoral roll without adherence to due process,” adding that these actions “strike at the core” of constitutional protections ensuring equality and universal adult suffrage.

The complaint further noted that representations had been submitted earlier to district authorities, including the District Magistrate of Barasat, but alleged that no corrective action or adjudication followed. It also claimed that the ongoing revision process lacked transparency and failed to follow principles of natural justice.

Seeking urgent intervention, Roy called for immediate restoration of the deleted names, a time-bound inquiry into the revisions carried out in the constituency, and safeguards to prevent arbitrary exclusion of voters. He also urged the Commission to suspend further deletions until procedural transparency is ensured, stating that “arbitrary disenfranchisement undermines both the rule of law and public confidence in the electoral process.”