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News Topical, Digital Desk : The deaths of elderly voters in West Bengal, one after another, amid the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, have caused a stir. Two elderly voters died after receiving hearing notices, while a third committed suicide.
The families have blamed Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal for the deaths and have filed a police complaint.
Durjan Majhi, an 82-year-old from Purulia district, received a hearing notice. His son, Kanai, said his father's name was on the 2002 physical voter list, but it was not visible on the list uploaded on the Election Commission's website. This is why the notice was sent. Just hours before the hearing, Durjan Majhi jumped in front of a moving train and died.
What are the complaints of the families?
Jamaat Ali Sheikh, 64, of Howrah, also received a hearing notice. He died on Monday, just hours after receiving the notice. His son alleged in his complaint that his father was a valid voter, but the CEC and CEO abused their powers, causing him mental stress that led to his death.
Both families have filed police complaints against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and CEO Manoj Agarwal. They believe the notices sent in the SIR process distressed their elderly to the point of death.
Election Commission's clarification
An Election Commission official responded to these complaints by stating that an FIR cannot be filed against the CEC. The law clearly provides for this. Similarly, the CEO cannot be held criminally liable for any act of omission or commission while performing his duties. If the police file an FIR, there will be legal consequences.
The Commission issued a notification on December 27 stating that due to a technical glitch, the names of approximately 1.3 lakh voters are in the 2002 physical list but are not appearing in the online database. Such voters will not be called for a hearing.
Did he commit suicide due to being upset by the notice?
In East Midnapore, 75-year-old Bimal Shee also received a hearing notice on Tuesday. Distressed by the notice, he hanged himself at home. The SIR process is based on the 2002 voter list.
Many voters are being called for hearings after their names or those of their families were not found on the list. Despite technical problems, some notices were sent. Families say it is wrong to harass legitimate voters in this manner.
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