The Election Commission of India has established 19 Appellate Tribunals in West Bengal to address objections regarding decisions made by judicial officers during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. These tribunals, as per a notification, are formed following a Supreme Court order and the recommendation of the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. Eighteen of these tribunals will be led by former High Court judges, with one headed by a former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court.
Immediate Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam will lead the tribunal responsible for cases from Kolkata and nearby areas. The notification allows appellants to file appeals against decisions made by designated Judicial Officers following the publication of the supplementary electoral roll. Appeals can be submitted online through the Commission’s digital platform or physically at specified offices for digitization and uploading on the ECI NET platform.
The notification emphasizes that the Appellate Tribunals will operate until all appeals in the respective districts are resolved. This initiative is crucial in enhancing transparency and fairness in the electoral process, particularly concerning voter inclusion or exclusion issues that impact the credibility of electoral rolls, especially in states like West Bengal. Legal experts view this move as a measure to instill confidence in democratic institutions ahead of the upcoming polls.
