Shashi Panja, Kajal Sheikh added to voter list; Shirshanya’s candidature remains in doubt

The second supplementary voter list has brought partial relief for the ruling Trinamool Congress, with the names of Shashi Panja and Kajal Sheikh now included, clearing the way for them to file their nominations. Both leaders were earlier marked “under consideration,” creating uncertainty over their eligibility. However, the absence of Shirshanya Bandyopadhyay from the updated list has raised fresh concerns, leaving his electoral prospects uncertain.

With West Bengal set to vote in two phases on April 23 and April 29, the issue of voter list inclusion has gained urgency. As per Election Commission rules, candidates must have their names on the electoral roll to file nominations. The deadline for the first phase is April 6, while candidates in the second phase must file by April 9. The situation has intensified pressure on pending cases, especially for candidates whose names are yet to be cleared.

Amid the uncertainty, the Trinamool Congress has approached the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, seeking urgent intervention to expedite the clearance of names and publication of final lists before nomination deadlines. The appeal was formally submitted by Chandrima Bhattacharya on behalf of the party, highlighting concerns over delays and their potential impact on the electoral process.

Earlier, the Election Commission had released the first supplementary list on March 23, followed by the second list late on Friday night. According to available data, around 37 lakh voter names have been processed so far, while nearly 23 lakh cases remain pending. However, uncertainty persists as it is still unclear how many “under consideration” names have been included or excluded. Confusion has been further compounded by technical issues, with many voters unable to access the lists online due to repeated website disruptions.