In a troubling revelation, Suprabuddha Sen, the grandson of celebrated artist Nandalal Bose—known for his iconic illustrations of the Indian Constitution—has reported that both he and his wife, Deepa Sen, have been unjustly removed from the voter rolls in West Bengal. This news comes in the wake of a special intensive revision of electoral rolls which was carried out ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, sparking concerns over voter disenfranchisement.
The Election Commission’s final electoral roll for West Bengal, published on February 28, revealed that a staggering 61 lakh voters were no longer listed, raising eyebrows among various stakeholders. While West Bengal was one of 12 states and Union Territories undergoing this special revision, the process is far from complete. Approximately 60 lakh cases are still pending adjudication, with many voters contesting their exclusions from draft rolls that were first published in December.
Suprabuddha Sen, aged 88, expressed his frustration at the systematic removal of his name and that of his 82-year-old wife from the voter list. He stated that their names were marked as “pending” during the review process, only to be removed after an adjudication hearing where he had provided all necessary documentation. “I presented everything that was requested during the hearing, and even allowed Election Commission officials to visit our residence for further verification. Despite this, both my wife and I have been excluded from the rolls,” Suprabuddha lamented.
Adding to their distress, the couple’s long-time domestic worker, Chakradhar Nayak, was also struck off the voter list, further highlighting the issue of voter suppression. This incident raises critical questions about the transparency and effectiveness of the electoral revision process in India, particularly in a state where political sentiments run high.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been vocal about issues affecting voters in the state, and with the Assembly elections drawing near, the stakes are higher than ever. The concerns raised by the Sen family underscore the need for a robust electoral system that ensures every eligible citizen’s right to vote is protected.
