ECI Sets Up 19 Tribunals in West Bengal for Voter Rolls Appeals
ECI Establishes 19 Tribunals in West Bengal to Ensure Fair Voter Rolls
In a significant move to ensure the integrity of voter rolls in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has established 19 Appellate Tribunals in the state. These tribunals will hear appeals related to the inclusion or exclusion of voters in the electoral rolls as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Supreme Court Order Triggers ECI Decision
The decision to set up the 19 tribunals was taken in compliance with the Supreme Court's order on March 10, 2026. The order was based on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. This development is a significant step towards ensuring that the electoral rolls in West Bengal are accurate and up-to-date.
Former Judges to Head Tribunals
Of the 19 tribunals, one will be headed by former Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam, while the remaining will be led by former High Court judges, including Pradipta Ray and Tapen Sen. This move is expected to bring a high level of expertise and integrity to the process of hearing appeals related to voter rolls.
Tribunals to Hear Discrepancies in Electoral Rolls
The tribunals will hear appeals against orders passed by designated judicial officers in cases involving discrepancies in electoral rolls across districts such as North 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Cooch Behar, and Howrah. This will help to ensure that the electoral rolls are accurate and reflect the true voting strength of the state.
Filing Appeals Made Easy
Appeals can be filed after the publication of the supplementary electoral rolls, either online through the ECI NET platform or physically at the offices of District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates, or Sub-Divisional Officers. These officers will ensure digitisation and uploading of applications, making the process of filing appeals convenient and hassle-free.
Notification Comes into Force Immediately
The notification setting up the 19 tribunals has come into force with immediate effect. The tribunals will cease to exist once all appeals are disposed of in the respective districts. This move is expected to bring transparency and accountability to the process of hearing appeals related to voter rolls.
The establishment of 19 Appellate Tribunals in West Bengal is a significant step towards ensuring the integrity of voter rolls in the state. It demonstrates the ECI's commitment to ensuring that the electoral process is fair, transparent, and accountable.
The tribunals will play a crucial role in hearing appeals related to voter rolls and ensuring that the electoral rolls are accurate and up-to-date. The ECI's decision to set up these tribunals is expected to bring a high level of expertise and integrity to the process of hearing appeals.
With the establishment of these tribunals, the ECI has taken a significant step towards ensuring the integrity of voter rolls in West Bengal. This move is expected to bring transparency and accountability to the process of hearing appeals related to voter rolls.
