Tragic Irony: A Voter’s Name Cleared After Her Death

The Story of Mina Jalal

In Kolkata, a heart-wrenching situation has unfolded involving 77-year-old Mina Jalal, who was under adjudication for SIR (Screening and Investigation of Records). Unfortunately, she passed away on March 27, just days before the Election Commission (EC) officially recognized her as a qualified voter in the final list released on April 9.

Family’s Struggle with Voter Registration

Although Mina was recognized as eligible to vote, her husband, Jalaluddin Ahmed Siddique, and her son, Imran Zaki, failed to pass the adjudication process. Both have subsequently approached the tribunal to address their concerns. Meanwhile, three of Mina’s other sons and a daughter successfully secured their voter registrations following their enumeration submissions.

Emotional Turmoil Surrounding Voting Rights

Imran Zaki, a social entrepreneur and educationist, reflected on his mother’s emotional state leading up to her death. "She was sick and under mental stress, knowing she could not vote this time around," he stated. He emphasized the irony that, although her name was cleared, she was no longer alive to benefit from it. Mina had participated in every election in the past, and her distress was palpable.

Calls for Transparency from the Election Commission

Imran expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from the Election Commission regarding their family’s voter registration status. "We had all our names listed in the 2002 SIR, yet we face constant harassment without explanations for why our names were removed. The EC needs to operate with more transparency," he insisted, describing their experience as a frustrating game of "hide-and-seek" with what he believes to be malafide intent.

Long-standing Roots in the Community

The family has deep ties to their neighborhood on Weston Street in Bowbazar, where they have lived for over seventy years. Zaki shared that their grandfather, Nazir Ahmed, once served with the British police and that they are still residing in the same building. The situation has heightened concerns for his 81-year-old father, a businessman and social worker, who fears he may also lose his voting rights this election cycle.

Conclusion: A Call for Justice in the Democratic Process

Imran Zaki articulated his family’s enduring connection to the area: "We belong to this country and have been associated with this city since the British era. How can our names be deleted? This undermines the democratic system we cherish. We hope to be enrolled soon."

Their story highlights the vital need for fair and transparent electoral processes to ensure that the rights of all voters are respected, even after life’s unfortunate circumstances.