Concerns Over Fake Voter Surge in West Bengal Prompt Government Action

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 23, 2025, Kolkata :  Concerns over fake voters have emerged in West Bengal, following previous reports of similar issues in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Authorities have noted an unexpected surge in voter numbers across multiple panchayat areas, raising suspicions of electoral malpractice. In response to a complaint from the Chief Minister, Nabanna has issued stringent directives to rectify voter lists and ensure accuracy in the electoral rolls. The state’s Chief Secretary, Manoj Pant, has ordered District Magistrates to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to prevent fraudulent voter registrations.

The Uttar Pradesh administration is also under pressure regarding this issue. On Saturday, the Chief Secretary convened a virtual meeting with District Magistrates from all districts and secretaries of various departments to address the matter. Officials have been instructed to meticulously verify all voter applications. In cases where an unusual surge in voter card applications is observed within a specific area, additional scrutiny must be conducted to rule out any irregularities.

The controversy has fueled political tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with both parties accusing each other of electoral fraud. The BJP claims that TMC is orchestrating the influx of minority voters from Bangladesh to manipulate voter demographics, whereas TMC alleges that BJP is bringing in fraudulent voters from Bihar to gain an electoral advantage.

According to sources, authorities have already identified some fraudulent voters. A particularly suspicious case was discovered in the Champahati panchayat of Baruipur. During the last Lok Sabha elections, the number of registered voters in the area ranged from 18,500 to 19,000. However, recent data indicates a sharp increase, with the voter count reaching 22,400. This unexpected rise has raised serious concerns, prompting Nabanna to issue an urgent warning and implement corrective measures to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.