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Kolkata: Approximately 1.6% of the voters categorized as 'unmapped' failed to attend hearings where they were required to present identity documents to validate their voting rights. Consequently, these individuals have been marked by electoral registration officers (EROs) for potential removal from the final voters' list.

The total count of 'unmapped' voters summoned for hearings was 31,68,426. Out of this group, just over 50,000 (1.57% of the total unmapped voters) did not appear for their hearings, despite receiving multiple notifications. As a result, EROs have deemed them eligible for deletion from the final voters' list, according to sources from the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in West Bengal.

"The hearings for the 'unmapped' voters have concluded, and we are currently addressing cases involving 'logical discrepancies.' It is confirmed that 1.57% of the 'unmapped' voters will be removed from the final voters' list. We are now awaiting the outcome of the 'logical discrepancy' cases to see how many will also be deleted," stated sources from the CEO's office.

Unmapped voters are those who could not establish a connection to the 2002 voters' list through either 'self-mapping' or 'progeny mapping.'

In contrast, 'logical discrepancy' cases refer to instances where unusual family-tree data was found during 'progeny' mapping.

The total number of voters categorized as 'logical discrepancy' cases and called for hearings is 94,49,132. The Election Commission of India is optimistic about completing these hearings by the deadline of February 7.

To recap, the draft voters' list published in West Bengal last December saw the removal of 58,20,899 voters identified as deceased, relocated, or duplicates.

The final voters' list will be published on February 14, revealing the precise number of voters deleted.

Following the release of the final voters' list, a full bench of the Election Commission will visit West Bengal to evaluate the situation. Subsequently, the Commission will announce the polling dates for the important Assembly elections scheduled later this year.