Abhishek Banerjee Criticizes Election Commission Over Voter List Discrepancies

TMC Leader's Strong Words Against Election Commission

New Delhi: On Wednesday, Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), expressed his dissatisfaction with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of failing to address their concerns regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal. Banerjee described the CEC's demeanor as 'aggressive' during a meeting with the election panel.

Officials from the Election Commission (EC) informed the TMC delegation that any intimidation of electoral staff by political representatives would not be tolerated. They also urged the West Bengal government to promptly release the increased honorarium for each Booth Level Officer (BLO).

Banerjee firmly stated that his party would reject the final voter list if it contained any 'discrepancies', asserting, 'We would fight it legally.' This statement came after a 10-member TMC delegation engaged with the EC regarding the electoral roll revisions in their state.

During the two-hour discussion, Banerjee highlighted multiple issues concerning the draft voter list, including the summoning of 1.36 crore voters, but felt that their concerns were not adequately addressed.

He claimed that CEC Gyanesh Kumar became 'aggressive' when they began to voice their concerns. 'When we started talking, he began to lose his temper... I told him, you are nominated, I am elected... If he has the courage, he should release the footage... and face the media to counter my points,' Banerjee remarked.

Banerjee criticized the CEC for failing to respond to most of their inquiries, stating that questions regarding the SIR were often redirected to citizenship issues, while concerns about deletions were met with procedural responses without substantial explanations.

When asked if they would accept the final electoral roll post-SIR, he reiterated, 'If it has discrepancies, why would we accept it? We would fight it legally.'

Targeting the EC, Banerjee alleged that 'vote theft' is occurring through the voter list rather than through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). He suggested that opposition parties could have won in states like Maharashtra, Haryana, and Bihar if they had raised this issue more forcefully.

He accused the EC of conspiring to tarnish West Bengal's reputation by raising unfounded allegations of infiltration and challenged the commission to disclose the identities of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas among the 58 lakh voters whose names were removed from the draft electoral roll.

Banerjee pointed out that there is a pattern of selective targeting and allegations of infiltration aimed at discrediting West Bengal. He urged the CEC to provide a list of how many infiltrators have been identified in the state.

He also questioned the EC's introduction of a new category called 'logical discrepancies', which involves summoning 1.36 crore voters for hearings based on various grounds, including discrepancies in parental names and age gaps.

The TMC leader emphasized that senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, and those with health issues should not be summoned for hearings and should instead be accommodated at home.

Additionally, the TMC raised concerns about the 'selective deployment' of micro-observers in West Bengal, alleging that the electoral roll is being weaponized. Banerjee called on all like-minded parties to focus on the voter list, asserting that 'vote theft' is occurring through the voter list rather than EVMs.

'These are the same mistakes that the Congress made in the past, which AAP also failed to address, and even RJD in Bihar did not raise, leading to BJP's significant victories,' he stated.

'The BJP won in Maharashtra, Delhi, and Bihar with an 88 percent strike rate. Is this mere coincidence? This is vote theft. Vote theft does not occur through EVMs. No other political party has been able to highlight this issue in other states.'

Banerjee urged all opposition parties to unite against this 'vote theft', stressing that the fight should take place on the ground rather than just in the media.

'People are watching; if you stand up to fight, the BJP won't prevail, as it will ultimately be the people who decide,' he concluded.

He also questioned why their party's BLA2 representatives were not permitted at the hearing venues and urged the CEC to issue a formal circular on the matter, which was declined.

'If no circular is issued, our BLA2 representatives will be present at the hearing venues. He cannot issue such a circular because he knows it would be challenged in court. An oral statement holds no value,' he added.

Banerjee criticized the government for operating on 'WhatsApp', stating, 'Governments function through circulars and notifications, not through WhatsApp directives. Do the Union government and the ECI intend to run the country via WhatsApp?'

Meanwhile, EC officials reiterated that the West Bengal government should promptly release the enhanced honorarium for each BLO as approved by the commission.

They also stated that strict action would be taken against any individuals attempting to disrupt the electoral process.

The TMC must ensure that its political representatives do not intimidate any election staff. Any form of intimidation towards electoral staff, including BLOs, EROs, AEROs, and Observers, will not be tolerated.

Furthermore, EC officials mentioned that polling stations would be established in high-rise buildings, gated communities, and slums to facilitate voter access.

The TMC delegation included notable figures such as Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien, MPs Saket Gokhale, Ritabrata Banerjee, and Mamata Thakur, along with West Bengal ministers Manas Bhunia, Pradip Mazumdar, and Chandrima Bhattacharya.