ECI REJECTS TMC’S ‘VOTER HIJACKING’ CLAIMS; CEO CLARIFIES ‘TRANSPARENT’ FORM-6 SUBMISSION PROCESS

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially responded to the claims of “voter list manipulation” made by the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC). They explained that the bulk submission of Form-6 applications follows a clear, rule-based process. After several days of protests outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office in Kolkata, CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal provided a detailed response. He stated that his office serves as a “receiving section” where any eligible citizen or their representative can submit applications for voter inclusion. The Commission noted that each Form-6, which is the official form for new voter registration, comes with a unique acknowledgment number. These forms are sent from District Election Officers (DEOs) to the CEO’s office for processing. Rejecting the allegations of a “digital conspiracy” or the use of illegal software to alter roles, the CEO emphasized that all applications undergo a thorough verification process by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) before reaching the decision stage.

The issue began when TMC leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, accused BJP agents of attempting to “hijack the mandate” by submitting nearly 30,000 “fraudulent” Form-6 applications to enroll outsiders from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. However, the ECI clarified that under the Representation of the People Act, only the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and the Tribunal have the power to include or exclude names; the CEO’s office does not have that authority. The Commission also pointed out that the Supreme Court has acknowledged that large-scale filings are common during election seasons and that there are legal methods to raise objections. The CEO’s office sent a clear message to political workers, stating that “anti-social activities” and the gherao of election offices will not be tolerated, especially after clashes that required a baton charge and increased CAPF presence at the Strand Road office.

As West Bengal gets ready for the final adjustment of its electoral rolls for the polls on April 23 and 29, the ECI has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure fairness through a 100% physical verification strategy. Although the TMC continues to share videos claiming to show bulk submissions, the CEO’s office has promised to review CCTV footage to verify that the process is being followed correctly. The Commission’s stance is clear: while the number of applications may be high, the process for inclusion is governed by strict self-declaration and verification rules. Any disputes over citizenship or residency must be handled through the appropriate legal and administrative channels, not through street protests.

By Anupama Shaw