Bengal BJP Initiates Hearing for 32 Lakh Unmapped Voters
Bengal BJP begins hearing claims for 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters ahead of elections.
Photo by Ian Talmacs
The West Bengal BJP unit has initiated a hearing process for approximately 32 lakh "unmapped" voters, whose names are allegedly missing from the electoral rolls or have discrepancies. This exercise, conducted by BJP observers and micro-observers, aims to identify and address issues with the electoral database ahead of the upcoming general elections.
The party claims these voters, many of whom are believed to be migrants or displaced persons, are crucial for ensuring fair representation. This highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining accurate electoral rolls and the political parties' efforts to ensure their supporters are registered, often leading to disputes with the Election Commission.
Key Facts
West Bengal BJP initiated hearing for 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters
Exercise conducted by BJP observers and micro-observers
Aims to address discrepancies in electoral rolls
UPSC Exam Angles
Constitutional provisions related to elections (Article 324)
Representation of the People Act, 1950 and 1951 (Electoral rolls, voter registration)
Role and powers of the Election Commission of India
Electoral reforms and challenges (e.g., migrant voting, data accuracy)
Role of political parties in the electoral process
Universal Adult Franchise and its practical implementation
Visual Insights
West Bengal: Hub of Unmapped Voters Challenge (2025)
This map highlights West Bengal, the state at the center of the current news regarding 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters. It underscores the geographic focus of the electoral roll discrepancies and the political efforts to address them.
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Scale of Unmapped Voters in West Bengal (2025 Estimates)
This dashboard provides key statistics to contextualize the 32 lakh 'unmapped' voters in West Bengal, showing their proportion relative to the state and national electorate, highlighting the significance of this issue.
- Unmapped Voters in West Bengal
- 32 Lakh
- % of West Bengal's Electorate
- ~4.1%
- % of India's Total Electorate
- ~0.33%
The absolute number of voters whose names are missing or have discrepancies, as reported by the BJP.
Based on an estimated 7.8 crore total voters in West Bengal for 2025. This percentage is significant enough to influence election outcomes in many constituencies.
Based on an estimated 980 million total voters in India for 2025. While a small fraction nationally, such issues in specific states accumulate to a larger national challenge.
More Information
Background
The integrity of electoral rolls is fundamental to a fair and free democratic process. In India, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is constitutionally mandated to prepare and revise electoral rolls.
Historically, challenges such as migration, data inaccuracies, and administrative complexities have led to discrepancies, affecting voter participation and representation. Political parties often undertake their own exercises to identify and mobilize voters, sometimes leading to friction with the ECI.
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the preparation and revision of electoral rolls in India: 1. The Election Commission of India is solely responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation and revision of electoral rolls for all elections to Parliament and State Legislatures. 2. A person must be ordinarily resident in a constituency to be registered as a voter in that constituency. 3. The minimum age for registration as a voter in India was reduced from 21 years to 18 years by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct. Article 324 of the Constitution vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections, including the preparation of electoral rolls, in the Election Commission of India. Statement 2 is correct. Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, states that a person must be ordinarily resident in a constituency to be registered as a voter there. Statement 3 is incorrect. The minimum age for voting was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988, not the 42nd Amendment.
2. In the context of challenges faced by internal migrants in exercising their franchise in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India has recently proposed the use of Multi-Constituency Remote Electronic Voting Machines (RVMs) to facilitate voting for domestic migrants. 2. The Representation of the People Act, 1950, currently allows internal migrants to vote remotely from their place of work without needing to travel to their registered constituency. 3. The concept of 'ordinary residence' as defined in electoral laws poses a significant challenge for migrant workers who frequently change their place of stay. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct. The ECI indeed proposed RVMs in late 2022 to address the issue of migrant voters. Statement 2 is incorrect. While the ECI is exploring remote voting, it is not currently a fully implemented provision under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, for all internal migrants. Migrants generally have to travel to their registered constituency to vote. Statement 3 is correct. The definition of 'ordinary residence' often requires a degree of permanence, which is difficult for highly mobile migrant workers to establish, leading to challenges in voter registration and participation.
3. Which of the following statements correctly describes the role of political parties concerning electoral rolls in India? 1. Political parties are constitutionally empowered to conduct parallel voter verification drives and make official amendments to the electoral rolls. 2. They can appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to assist Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) in identifying eligible voters and detecting discrepancies. 3. Any citizen, including political party members, can file claims and objections regarding the inclusion or deletion of names in the electoral rolls. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. Political parties are not constitutionally empowered to conduct parallel official verification drives or make amendments to electoral rolls. This power rests solely with the Election Commission of India and its designated officers. Statement 2 is correct. Political parties are encouraged to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) who work with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) appointed by the ECI to ensure accurate electoral rolls. Statement 3 is correct. The Representation of the People Act, 1950, allows any eligible citizen to file claims (Form 6) for inclusion or objections (Form 7) for deletion of names, which political party members can also do.