A delegation from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) met with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal on Thursday, making a strong Voter ID Reform Demand. They urged the introduction of a unique ID for voter cards to eliminate the presence of fake voters on the electoral rolls. The TMC aims to enhance electoral integrity, ensuring each voter has a distinct identity.
Addressing Ghost Voter Cards
Earlier that day, a core committee meeting convened under the leadership of party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The committee focused on addressing the issue of “ghost” voter cards in West Bengal. Notably, key figures such as Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien were absent from this meeting. TMC’s state president, Subrata Baksi, announced that Abhishek Banerjee would lead another meeting on March 15 to further discuss this pressing issue.
TMC’s Delegation to the Election Commission
After their meeting, state ministers Firhad Hakim, Chandrima Bhattacharya, and Aroop Biswas, along with MP Ritabrata Banerjee, delivered a memorandum to CEO Dibyendu Das at the Election Commission of India. During their discussions, TMC leaders reviewed findings from a door-to-door audit of electoral rolls, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been manipulating the voter list ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. They emphasized the importance of addressing these irregularities and developing a strategy to counteract them.
Key Statements from TMC Leaders
Firhad Hakim criticized the BJP, stating, “The BJP is trying to turn elections in West Bengal into a farce.” He highlighted that the same Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number should not exist across different states. He compared the situation to Aadhaar and passport systems, which utilize unique identification numbers. Hakim declared that this effort marks the beginning of a new movement for Voter ID Reform, echoing Mamata Banerjee’s earlier demands for photo identification in elections.
Hakim further accused the BJP of adding fake voters to increase their electoral advantage in states like Delhi and Maharashtra. He referenced data from the Delhi Assembly polls, claiming an unnatural surge in voter numbers, paralleling the situation in West Bengal.
Proposals for Voter List Verification
Hakim suggested that physical verification should be mandatory for online voter name appeals and advocated for all voters to possess unique IDs, such as a passport, PAN card, or Aadhaar card. He warned of a potential protest movement against the Election Commission of India if these demands are not met.
In line with their strategy, the TMC plans to establish committees in each district to monitor the identification of fake names on voter lists. They are committed to scrutinizing the voter rolls to identify names that do not belong to West Bengal voters and those wrongfully removed.
Conclusion
With these actions, the TMC aims to uphold electoral integrity and ensure fair representation in West Bengal. As the political landscape evolves, the Voter ID Reform Demand stands at the forefront of their strategy. For further updates on this ongoing issue, visit The Hans Bharat.
In the backdrop of these developments, the TMC continues to challenge the BJP’s tactics, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process. The engagement of citizens and the establishment of robust verification processes will be crucial as the state approaches the next election cycle.
