West Bengal electoral roll update: EC releases 8th supplementary list, 52 lakh cases cleared

The Election Commission (EC) has published the eighth supplementary list for West Bengal and said around 52 lakh cases under adjudication have been disposed of, expressing hope that the process will be completed within the next few days in line with directions of the Calcutta High Court.

Verification and disposal of approximately 52 lakh cases had been completed till Thursday evening. Work on the remaining nearly 8 lakh applicants is ongoing and is expected to be finished within the next four days, an EC official said.

Officials indicated that if the current pace continues, the entire adjudication process is likely to be completed by April 7.

More than 60 lakh names had come under scrutiny after the publication of the final draft electoral rolls. The adjudication process is being conducted by judicial officers in compliance with directions of the Supreme Court.

The exercise is significant as the first phase of elections in the state is scheduled for April 23. The last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, making it necessary for the verification process to be completed before the electoral rolls are frozen.

An election official said the issue of security for judicial officers engaged in verification has gained importance following an incident in Malda’s Kaliachak, where they were gheraoed on Wednesday night.

“In view of the incident, adequate steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of judicial officers deployed for voter verification,” a source said.

Those whose names do not appear in the supplementary list will now need to approach tribunals for redressal. However, there is no clarity yet on when the tribunals will begin functioning.