What is the story about?
97-year-old Subarna Bala, a 1947 refugee, now living in Kolkata, has voted in every election since becoming eligible. However, this year, she had her name
deleted after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), according to a TOI report. Born in Abdullahpur, in what was then undivided Bengal, but later was forced to leave their home during the 1847 partition. She then moved to Kolkata and has been living on Narkeldanga North Road since then. Following the SIR, her name had been deleted from the voters' list. However, she is unaware of the same.
'If My Health Permits, I Will Vote'
When she was asked whether she would vote this time, she said, "Shorir dile vote debo" ("If my health permits, I will vote"). She further stressed that the right to vote is a priority for her, and she has never missed a single election.
When asked if she would be upset if she could not vote this time, she replied, "I have a voter's card, so why can't I vote?", TOI reported.
What Her Daughter Said?
Her daughter, Sandhya Poddar, said that in 2024, she was unable to visit the polling booth, so the EC arranged a home voting facility for her. She recalled that earlier she used to get ready early in the morning and go to the polling booth with other neighbours and me to cast her vote.
"However, this time she will not be able to vote as her name has been deleted despite submitting all documents," she told TOI.
Why Her Name Is Not There in Voters List?
In the 2002 SIR roll, there was a spelling error in her name, appearing as Swarna Bala. She was called for a hearing where she submitted documents, including a voter's Aadhar bank passbook and a widow's pension she receives from the state government, but these were rejected.
Her family filled out Form 6 for the fresh inclusion of her name, but that too was rejected. "She receives a widow's pension, and we submitted that document as well. But nothing was considered, and everything was rejected. My mother did not have a birth certificate, which was not available in those days. We are in the dark about how to restore her name, or whether she will remain a deleted voter for the rest of her life," Sandhya told TOI.
She further stated that only four out of eight family members will be able to cast their votes this year. She said that they will keep trying to get her name back on the voters' list, so that she can vote.
