Kolkata, 28 April (H.S.): Ahead of the second phase of polling, the Election Commission of India has released an additional voter list in compliance with earlier directions from the Supreme Court of India. Following the disposal of pending cases in tribunals, a total of 1,468 new voters have been added to the electoral roll, while 6 names have been removed.

According to the list published on Tuesday, 677 names have been added in Kolkata South and 596 in Kolkata North. Additionally, 77 names have been included in Howrah, 39 in Nadia, 34 in North 24 Parganas, 30 in South 24 Parganas, 8 in Purba Bardhaman, and 7 in Hooghly.

The second phase of polling in the state is scheduled for Wednesday, covering 142 assembly constituencies across seven districts. Voters whose names appear in this newly published supplementary list will also be eligible to cast their votes. As per standard procedure, the electoral roll had already been “frozen” for the second phase. However, following Supreme Court directives, individuals cleared by tribunals up to two days before polling are allowed to vote.

Sources indicate that this additional list has been prepared based on applications disposed of by tribunals up to Monday. Earlier, before the first phase of polling, the Commission had also released a similar supplementary list as per court orders, adding 139 voters while removing 8 names.

Notably, over six million names were under scrutiny during the special revision of the electoral roll in West Bengal. Judicial officers appointed by the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court examined these cases, leading to many being declared ineligible. Subsequently, the Supreme Court allowed such individuals to appeal before tribunals headed by retired judges.

The first final electoral roll for the state was published on February 28, after which additional lists have been released in phases. The latest list is based on tribunal decisions up to Monday. Polling on Wednesday will take place in Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, and Purba Bardhaman districts.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey