Kolkata: The Supreme Court has declined to grant interim voting rights to those whose names were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal and whose appeals are still pending before the appellate tribunals.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing petitions by individuals whose names were deleted during West Bengal’s SIR exercise and whose appeals are pending before appellate tribunals. The apex court notes the process must not be distorted by the pressure of conducting elections.
The Supreme Court said the right to remain on voter lists is not only constitutional but also carries an emotional dimension, stressing the need to safeguard it. It added that authorities “cannot be blinded" by the pressures of elections while dealing with such issues.
Assembly elections in West Bengal will be conducted in two phases on April 23 and 29 and votes will be counted on May 4.
2,407 companies of Central forces for 1st phaseThe Election Commission of India will deploy 2,407 companies of Central armed police forces for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly polls on April 23, The Hindu newspaper reported this week. A senior official said Murshidabad is likely to have the highest deployment with 316 companies of forces, including 240 in the Murshidabad police district and 76 in Jangipur. Purba Medinipur district is likely to see the second-highest deployment with 273 companies, he said, adding that the district is being closely watched due to the politically crucial Nandigram seat, where Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is in the fray. |
