Thousands still absent from voter rolls in East Burdwan, tribunals only hope
The Statesman | 1 April 2026
With their names still not on the voters’ list after the publication of several supplementaries to the main list issued by the Election Commission on 28 February, a large number of residents in the Kalna sub-division of East Burdwan held widespread protests today, and even resorted to a road blockade.
Protests were also held outside Ketugram police station by residents of Ankhona I panchayat in Ketugram Assembly constituency in Katwa sub-division, where as many as 1,543 voters from 12 booths have not found their names on the electoral rolls. The sitting MLA, Sheikh Shahnawaz of the Trinamul Congress, said the only option now left was to approach the judges at the tribunals set up by the ECI.
The situation has caused significant distress among the residents, many of whom expressed apprehension of being deprived of their fundamental right to vote. More interestingly, people from different political affiliations were united in protest, demanding immediate corrective action from the authorities.
In Kalna I and II blocks, between 135 and 345 persons from 14 booths have not been included in the voters’ list, even after adjudication for logical discrepancies has been completed. Though the majority that have been left out are farmers, there are several who are retired pensioners from state and central government services.
The agitation in Kalna took place at the Nibhuji Mor area along the Kalna-Katwa State Highway, where the residents staged a demonstration by blocking the highway. The protest began around 9:40 am and continued for nearly two hours, severely disrupting vehicular movement on the important route.
The protesters claimed that despite being long-time residents of the country and the region, with valid documents such as passports, birth certificates, and educational credentials, their names have disappeared from the final electoral rolls. According to the locals, the issue was not limited to a few individuals, but affected multiple voters across nearly every booth in the area.
Holding placards and raising slogans, the demonstrators voiced their anger and urged the administration to restore their constitutional rights. They warned that if the issue was not resolved promptly, they would intensify their agitation in the coming days.
The blockade was eventually lifted around 11:30 am after administrative officials intervened and assured the protesters that necessary steps would be taken to address the problem