New Delhi
On Monday, the Election Commission of India provided reassurance to a Trinamool Congress delegation that voters without Aadhaar cards would not face impediments in exercising their franchise. The Commission affirmed that voters could cast their ballots by presenting their voter ID cards or any other specified identity documents. This assurance came in response to concerns raised by TMC leaders regarding the deactivation of several Aadhaar cards in West Bengal.
The TMC delegation, comprising Rajya Sabha leader Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Dola Sen, Saket Gokhale, and Lok Sabha MPs Pratima Mondal and Sajda Ahmed, met with the Chief Election Commissioner to address the issue of alleged Aadhaar deactivations. Following the meeting, Ray informed reporters that they highlighted concerns regarding the deactivation or omission of ‘thousands of people’s’ Aadhaar cards in West Bengal without due legal process.
Ray stated that the Election Commission assured them that individuals without Aadhaar cards would be permitted to vote using other valid documents. Additionally, the TMC delegation raised concerns about the establishment of District Intelligence Committees to oversee expenditure, noting that such committees would include members from both state and central agencies.
Furthermore, the delegation brought to the Commission’s attention the tragic deaths of four children during BSF drain expansion work in Uttar Dinajpur’s Chopra, West Bengal. They urged the Election Commission to ensure that central forces deployed in the state adhere to their mandate. The TMC emphasized the need for central forces to operate within the confines of the law and under the supervision of both the Election Commission and state government officials during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
