Kolkata, April 16: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday expressed strong satisfaction over a significant ruling by the Supreme Court of India, which permits voters whose names were deleted during judicial scrutiny to participate in the upcoming Assembly electionsโprovided their names are restored by Appellate Tribunals up to 48 hours before polling.
The decision comes as a major relief for thousands of affected voters ahead of the two-phase elections scheduled later this month. According to the ruling, voters cleared by Appellate Tribunals will be eligible to vote if their names are reinstated by April 21 for the first phase (April 23) and by April 27 for the second phase (April 29).
Reacting to the verdict while addressing media in Cooch Behar district during her campaign tour, Banerjee termed the development a โvictoryโ and reaffirmed her confidence in the judicial system.
โCongratulations to everyone. I have always said that victory will be ours. I urged voters whose names were deleted to remain patient. I am proud of the countryโs judicial system. It was I who approached the Supreme Court on this issue, and today, no one is happier than me,โ she stated.
The Chief Minister also directed workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to ensure that all voters reinstated at the last moment receive their voter slips in time to exercise their franchise.
โParty workers must ensure that voter slips are prepared and delivered to those whose names are cleared by the Appellate Tribunals. Every eligible voter must get the opportunity to vote,โ she emphasized.
The voter list revision exercise had earlier flagged over 60 lakh names under โlogical discrepancyโ cases, out of which approximately 27 lakh were deemed excludable. These cases are now under review by 19 Appellate Tribunals constituted specifically to handle such disputes.
The Supreme Courtโs ruling is expected to have a notable impact on voter participation and could influence the dynamics of the closely watched West Bengal Assembly elections.
