Nearly 58 lakh voters in West Bengal have been marked as “uncollectible” in the state’s draft electoral roll, triggering sharp political reactions and raising questions over voter verification ahead of upcoming elections.
What Does ‘Uncollectible’ Mean?
Election officials say the term refers to voters who could not be physically verified during door-to-door enumeration. Reasons include locked houses, migration, incorrect addresses, or voters being unavailable despite repeated visits.
Authorities maintain that the classification does not automatically remove names from the voter list.
Opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, have expressed concern, warning that large-scale marking of voters could lead to disenfranchisement if not handled transparently.
Leaders have demanded clarity on the verification process and safeguards to protect genuine voters.
Election Commission’s Stand
Election officials said the draft roll is subject to public scrutiny and correction. Citizens can file claims and objections during the stipulated period to ensure their names remain on the final roll.
Officials stressed that no voter would be removed without due process.West Bengal has a politically sensitive electorate, and changes to voter rolls often become flashpoints. With elections approaching, the issue has heightened political tensions across the state.
The final electoral roll will be published after the claims-and-objections window closes, following verification and corrections.
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