Nearly 40 names dropped from electoral rolls in Assam’s Bongaigaon, Special Revision process under scrutiny

The names of nearly 40 indigenous Muslim residents from South Deohati and Choutaki villages under the Abhayapuri constituency in Assam’s Bongaigaon district have reportedly been deleted from the voters’ list through the Special Revision (SR) process.

Among those affected is Nazrul Islam, a central committee member of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) Minority Morcha, lending political significance to the episode. The deletions have triggered panic and distress among the affected families, many of whom claim they have been residing in the two villages for generations.

According to local residents, the individuals whose names were struck off are indigenous Muslims whose forefathers had settled in South Deohati and Choutaki decades ago. The families allege that their exclusion followed complaints filed by unidentified persons through the SR mechanism, raising questions about the misuse of the process.

The affected residents say the sudden deletion has left them anxious about their political rights and legal status, particularly as many had been regular voters for years. “We have lived here since our ancestors’ time and have participated in every election. Overnight, our names have disappeared from the voters’ list,” one resident said.

Community members also pointed out that the indigenous Muslim families have long lived in harmony within predominantly Hindu neighbourhoods and are closely integrated with local social and cultural traditions. They warned that such actions risk disturbing long-standing communal coexistence in the area.

Expressing strong resentment over the development, the affected individuals have demanded that the government and election authorities conduct a thorough review of the deletions and initiate legal action against those who allegedly filed false or malicious complaints.

No official statement has yet been issued by the Election Commission authorities regarding the deletions. However, local officials said representations from the affected residents are being received, and the matter is likely to be examined as per due process.