Judge's Shocking Claims
A significant development has emerged from West Bengal with the resignation of a judge from the State Election Commission’s (SEC) tribunal. This judge has come
forward with startling allegations, asserting that the number of voters he personally cleared and reinstated onto the electoral rolls far surpassed the total additions made by the Election Commission (EC) itself within the state. This discrepancy raises fundamental questions about the integrity of voter registration processes. Furthermore, the judge expressed a profound dissatisfaction with the SEC's operational autonomy, suggesting it was unduly influenced by the ruling political party. He also pointed to a lack of decisive action against alleged electoral malpractices attributed to the governing party, adding another layer of concern regarding the impartiality of the electoral machinery.
Tribunal Performance Scrutinized
The resignation has brought the performance of West Bengal’s Appellate Tribunals under intense scrutiny, particularly concerning voter roll management. It has been revealed that these tribunals collectively approved 1,607 appeals, leading to the reinstatement of voters onto the electoral roll. This figure, however, is juxtaposed against the actions of a single judge, Justice Sivagnanam, who impressively cleared as many as 1,717 appeals. His resignation, officially cited as being for personal reasons, now appears to be deeply intertwined with these broader issues of electoral fairness. The contrast between his individual output and the collective tribunal approvals, coupled with the EC's silence on the matter, amplifies the disquiet surrounding the electoral process and its oversight in West Bengal, leaving many to ponder the implications for the upcoming polls.
