Bengal Tribunal Judges Highlight Delays in Electoral Roll Appeals Due to EC Portal Issues

Judges presiding over tribunals in West Bengal that are tasked with reviewing appeals related to the recent electoral roll revision have expressed significant concerns regarding the inefficiencies of the Election Commission’s online portal. According to reports from ‘The Indian Express,’ these issues are causing considerable delays in the resolution of cases.

In March 2023, following a directive from the Supreme Court, 19 specialized tribunals were established in the state. These panels, made up of former chief justices and judges, were mandated to address grievances related to voter exclusions and inclusions stemming from a rigorous electoral roll revision process. However, it appears that the effectiveness of these tribunals is being undermined by technical shortcomings in the Election Commission’s ECINET portal.

Minutes from a meeting held on August 11 revealed that a significant number of tribunal judges raised concerns over the operational flaws of the online system. They communicated their grievances to both the Election Commission and the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. A key issue highlighted was the absence of a systematic process for serving notices to appellants, which has persisted despite multiple requests for an improved notification mechanism.

In May 2023, some judges even approved a standard notice format intended for distribution to involved parties. However, the implementation of this format has yet to take place, thereby exacerbating the delays in case handling. The judges pointed out that the existing gaps in communication severely hinder the timely delivery of justice for citizens disputing their voter registration statuses.

The ongoing challenges reflect the broader implications for the electoral process in West Bengal, raising questions about the efficacy of the systems intended to uphold democratic rights. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders hope that the Election Commission will take prompt action to rectify the identified issues in the portal, ensuring that the tribunals can function effectively and serve the public interest in a timely manner.

Source: scroll.in