CEC Gyanesh Kumar Assures No Eligible Voter Will Be Removed From Bengal Electoral Rolls

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday said the Election Commission would ensure that no eligible voter in West Bengal is removed from the electoral rolls, stressing that the poll body's focus is on conducting peaceful and transparent elections in the state.

Speaking to reporters after a series of meetings with political parties and administrative officials, Kumar said the people of West Bengal have a long tradition of participating in democratic processes peacefully. He added that the Commission is working to maintain that spirit during the upcoming elections.

Kumar also made it clear that all government employees assigned election duties must strictly follow instructions issued by the Election Commission. According to him, any negligence or failure to comply with guidelines during the poll process will not be tolerated.

Reiterating the Commission's commitment, the CEC said the main objective is to ensure that elections in the state are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner, while also guaranteeing that every eligible voter gets the chance to exercise their franchise.

Highlighting the scale of the electoral exercise in the state, Kumar said there are nearly 80,000 polling stations across West Bengal. Of these, around 61,000 booths are located in rural areas, making the election management a major logistical exercise for the authorities.

To strengthen transparency in the voting process, the Election Commission plans to introduce 100 per cent webcasting at polling stations throughout the state. Kumar said this step is aimed at improving monitoring and boosting public confidence in the election process.

The Chief Election Commissioner also defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, stating that the exercise is conducted in accordance with constitutional provisions and follows a fair process. He added that the Commission will review the situation once officials return to Delhi.

Earlier in the day, Kumar encountered protests during his visit to the Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata, where a group of demonstrators waved black flags and raised slogans against him.

Similar protests had taken place when Kumar arrived at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on Sunday night. On Monday, he also faced protests during a visit to the Kalighat Temple in south Kolkata.

Despite the demonstrations, Kumar continued with his official schedule. He also visited Belur Math in Howrah district, where he reiterated the Election Commission's commitment to ensuring that voters can participate in the polls without fear or disruption.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India asked authorities to ensure that judicial officers handling election-related claims and objections are able to work smoothly. According to the court, judicial officers have already processed around 10.16 lakh objections and claims related to the SIR exercise in the state.