A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court raising concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, bringing the focus on how electoral tribunals are functioning and whether voters are able to access timely remedies.
The petition argues that while the SIR exercise is intended to clean and update voter lists, its implementation on the ground has created several practical problems. Many voters whose names have either been deleted or marked for verification are struggling to understand the process and file appeals within the limited time available.
Delays in appeals disposal
A key issue flagged in the plea by Raju Ghosh, resident of Salt Lake, North 24 Parganas, is the delay in the disposal of appeals. The petitioner has urged the court to direct tribunals to decide cases within 48 hours, especially given the time-sensitive nature of electoral processes. They argue that even short delays can result in eligible voters losing their chance to vote, making the remedy ineffective.
According to the plea, the current pace at which tribunals are handling cases does not match the urgency required. In several instances, voters have reportedly been given hearing dates that extend beyond reasonable timelines, adding to their uncertainty.
Infrastructure gaps at the tribunal level
The petition also highlights serious gaps in infrastructure and administrative support. It states that many tribunals across districts are not adequately equipped to deal with the volume of complaints arising from the SIR process.
There are concerns about a shortage of staff, a lack of proper digital systems, and limited physical access to tribunal offices. This has made it particularly difficult for people in rural and remote areas to file appeals or follow up on their cases. The plea argues that without strengthening this system, the right to seek redress remains largely on paper.
Confusion over jurisdiction
Another major concern raised is the confusion regarding jurisdiction. The petition points out that many voters are unsure about which tribunal they should approach, especially in cases where their current place of residence differs from their voter registration details.
This lack of clarity has led to people approaching the wrong forums or missing deadlines altogether. The plea argues that clear and uniform guidelines are needed to ensure that voters are not left navigating a complicated system during an already stressful process.
Call for clear guidelines and a uniform process
The petition has urged the top court to step in and issue clear directions to streamline the entire process. It has called for standardised procedures across districts so that there is no variation in how cases are handled.
Among the key suggestions are the deployment of additional staff, improvement in infrastructure, and better communication with voters about their rights and the steps they need to take. The plea also stresses the need for transparency so that voters can track their appeals and understand the status of their cases.
The matter is likely to be heard on April 13.