Anger erupts across Bengal over voter list omissions; road blockades and clashes reported in districts

Tension flared across several districts of West Bengal after many voters found their names missing from the supplementary electoral rolls released ahead of the upcoming polls. Protests broke out in multiple areas as residents alleged that valid voters were excluded from the lists, triggering road blockades, demonstrations and clashes with security forces.

In the Moolti area of Magrahat in South 24 Parganas, local residents alleged that the names of 33 valid voters from booth number 89 of Moolti Gram Panchayat were excluded from the final voter list. According to locals, these names were earlier marked as pending in the final list verification process but were still not included after the supplementary list was published. Angry residents staged protests by burning tyres and blocking Dhamua Road.

A similar situation unfolded in Jagatballabhpur in Howrah, where around 850 voters from two booths reportedly found their names missing from the voter list. Protesting voters blocked roads and raised slogans, while some demonstrators waved black flags against the Election Commission. When authorities attempted to restore order, clashes reportedly broke out between protesters and central forces. Protests were also reported from Hasnabad in North 24 Parganas, where residents claimed that 655 voters from booths 252 and 253 were excluded from the voter list despite repeated appeals to officials. In Alipurduar Municipality’s Ward No. 6, allegations surfaced that 32 voters were left out of the list, including several women beneficiaries of the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme. With lakhs of names across the state still under scrutiny, the Election Commission has launched a tribunal portal allowing affected voters to apply for verification after the publication of the third supplementary list.