340 Voters Removed Overnight? Bengal Residents Allege Targeted Deletion

A major political controversy has exploded in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming assembly elections after 340 voters from a single booth were suddenly deleted from the electoral roll in Basirhat North constituency.

The shocking development has triggered protests, allegations of bias, and serious questions over the transparency of the voter verification process conducted by the Election Commission of India.

What Happened in Basirhat?

The issue centres around Booth No. 5 in Boro Gobra village under Basirhat Block II, where a total of 992 voters were registered. According to officials, 38 names were removed due to death or relocation. However, the controversy erupted after 340 voters — all reportedly from the Muslim community — were moved from “under adjudication” to “deleted” status in the final supplementary list released at 5 pm.

The sudden mass deletion has raised alarms, especially since many of these voters had submitted valid documents as per Election Commission guidelines.

Why Are Residents Calling It ‘Targeted’?

Anger spread quickly after it emerged that even the Booth Level Officer, Md Shafiul Alam, found his own name deleted from the list.

Locals claim the removals were not random but selectively targeted. Over a hundred residents took to the streets, staging protests outside the officer’s residence and across the village, alleging discrimination and political interference.

One affected voter, Kajirul Mondal, said that although the Election Commission requires just one valid document, many voters had submitted multiple documents — yet their names were still removed.

Were Proper Procedures Followed?

According to officials, 358 voters had been called for hearings regarding their eligibility. While 18 cases were cleared in the draft list, the remaining 340 were kept “under adjudication” before being completely deleted in the final list.

However, serious concerns have been raised about whether due process was followed. Residents and local officials claim there was no clear explanation or communication from authorities before the deletions were finalised.

What Are Officials Saying?

Booth Level Officer Md Shafiul Alam stated that he personally helped voters complete their documentation and ensured everything was uploaded as per rules. Despite this, the names were still removed, which he described as highly irregular.

He also revealed that attempts to contact higher authorities, including the Block Development Officer, did not lead to any resolution, while the Electoral Registration Officer remained unreachable.

What Happens Next?

With tensions rising, Alam has announced plans to move a tribunal seeking legal action. Protesters are demanding immediate restoration of the deleted names and a fair investigation into the matter.

Big Question Ahead of Elections

As elections approach in West Bengal, this controversy has turned into a major political flashpoint. The incident raises a critical question — can voters trust the system meant to protect their democratic rights?

The coming days will be crucial as pressure mounts on the Election Commission to respond and restore confidence in the electoral process.