27 lakh voters deleted in Bengal as EC revision sparks panic in Kolkata's Chinatown

Over 27 lakh people's names in West Bengal have been deleted from the voter rolls following the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision. The deletions have affected various demographics, including members of the Indian Chinese community in Kolkata's historic Chinatown, who have voted in the state for decades. Elderly pensioners and fourth-generation citizens are also among those excluded, raising concerns over the potential loss of essential benefits like old-age pensions. Following a Supreme Court order, digital tribunals comprising judicial magistrates have been established in Kolkata to scrutinize over 34 lakh online applications for reinstatement. The apex court has directed the Election Commission to include cleared names by April 21 for the first phase of voting and April 27 for the second phase. However, affected individuals face challenges as physical hearings are not being conducted, leaving many struggling to track their application status ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.