West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of India of deliberately targeting women voters during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the state. She alleged that large numbers of women voters are finding their names removed from voter lists without proper explanation.
Speaking from the state secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee said women are being disproportionately affected because of changes in residence after marriage or variations in names and documents. She claimed that despite submitting valid papers, many women are not being given receipts or acknowledgements, and later discover that their names are missing from the rolls.
The Chief Minister urged voters, particularly women, new voters and migrant workers, to immediately verify their voter status with Booth Level Officers or Electoral Registration Officers. She warned that the process could lead to the disenfranchisement of genuine voters if not corrected.
Banerjee also raised concerns that voters from outside West Bengal were allegedly being added to the electoral rolls, while legitimate local voters were being removed. She described the situation as a serious threat to democracy and demanded transparency and accountability from the Election Commission.
The Election Commission has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations.