Ghost Voters Exposed: ECI Unearths Shocking Discrepancies in Bengal's Centenarian Rolls

In a revelation that has cast a spotlight on the meticulous work of electoral purity, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has uncovered a significant discrepancy within West Bengal's voter rolls: a staggering nearly 50 percent of registered voters aged 100 and above have been found to be deceased.

This startling discovery emerged from an extensive door-to-door verification drive conducted by the ECI, aimed at cleaning up and updating the country's vital electoral database.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar shared these figures, highlighting the ECI's proactive approach to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

He disclosed that out of approximately 1.5 lakh voters registered as centenarians in West Bengal, roughly half were confirmed to be no longer living. This is part of a broader, continuous exercise where ECI officials diligently visit the homes of voters, particularly focusing on vulnerable demographics.

The drive included visits to an astonishing 18 lakh voters aged 80 and above, alongside the targeted outreach to those over 100 years old.

The sheer scale of this verification effort underscores the ECI's unwavering commitment to an error-free electoral roll. West Bengal alone accounts for a formidable 7.5 crore voters, making the task of maintaining accurate records both critical and challenging.

Such discrepancies, often referred to as "ghost voters," can arise from various factors, including the natural passage of time, lack of timely updates from local authorities, or insufficient reporting of deaths by family members.

Ensuring that only genuine and living citizens are on the voter list is fundamental to democratic fairness and transparency.

Inaccurate rolls can lead to questions about the legitimacy of elections and potentially create avenues for malpractice. The ECI's rigorous methodology, involving direct interaction with voters and their families, is designed to systematically weed out such inaccuracies, thereby bolstering public trust in the electoral system.

This ongoing purification drive is not merely an administrative exercise; it is a foundational pillar for free and fair elections.

By meticulously verifying each entry, especially for a demographic prone to natural changes, the ECI reaffirms its dedication to upholding the democratic principles of India. The findings from West Bengal serve as a powerful reminder of the continuous, vigilant effort required to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot box, ensuring that every vote cast truly represents a living, eligible citizen.