Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Concerns regarding the Malda incident and issues related to the voter list were raised by Member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Moulana Abu Talib Rehmani, who called for greater attention from the Election Commission and the administrative system to ensure fairness, safety, and protection of citizens during the electoral process.
Moulana Abu Talib Rehmani stated in Kolkata that authorities, including the Election Commissioners and the overall system, must pay close attention to incidents involving violence and electoral concerns. He emphasized that he has always opposed violence and will continue to stand against any form of violence in society and during elections.
He stressed that protection should not be limited only to bureaucrats and the judiciary, but must also be extended to ordinary citizens who participate in the democratic process. His remarks come in the context of concerns being raised over incidents related to law and order and electoral activities.
Speaking further on the issue of voter lists and the SIR related concerns, he said that if a person holds valid documents that are recognised by the Supreme Court but still finds their name missing from the voter list, it becomes a serious issue for democracy. He described such situations as deeply unfortunate because the right to vote is a fundamental part of democratic participation.
He warned that if eligible voters are excluded from the voter list despite having valid documents, it would negatively impact the credibility and fairness of the electoral process. According to him, such exclusions could raise questions about transparency and inclusiveness in elections.
During his statement, he also referred to former Chief Election Commissioner T. N. Seshan, stating that election authorities should reflect on why T. N. Seshan is still remembered today. He suggested that the legacy of election commissioners is shaped by their fairness, strictness, and commitment to protecting the democratic process.
He said that today’s Election Commissioners should think about how they will be remembered in the future, emphasizing the importance of fairness, transparency, and protection of voting rights. His remarks highlighted concerns about voter rights, electoral integrity, and the responsibility of institutions to ensure that every eligible citizen is able to vote without fear or exclusion.
The statements have added to the ongoing discussions around electoral processes, voter lists, and administrative responsibility in ensuring free and fair elections. The issue of voter list accuracy and voter rights continues to remain an important topic in electoral discussions across different states.
The remarks underline the importance of protecting both democratic institutions and ordinary citizens, while ensuring that the electoral process remains fair, transparent, and inclusive for all eligible voters.
