81% pleas before Bengal post-SIR tribunals seek cuts, not inclusion, Supreme Court told

The Supreme Court heard that a significant majority of appeals filed with West Bengal's post-delimitation tribunals were aimed at removing names from voter lists, rather than ensuring their inclusion. This revelation came as the court grapples with the process of voter list revision in the state.

During proceedings, it was reported that out of more than 1.1 million applications submitted to the tribunals, a striking 81% specifically requested deletions. This suggests a trend where the focus is on challenging existing entries rather than rectifying potential errors or omissions that could disenfranchise eligible voters.

Only approximately 700,000 applications were identified as directly challenging voter exclusions. In light of these figures, the Supreme Court has indicated its intention to prioritize these cases. The court aims to ensure a fair and accurate voter roll is in place well ahead of the next general elections, scheduled for 2029, recognizing the critical importance of electoral integrity.