Bengal Centenarian Who Has Voted Since Independence Finds His Name Missing From 2002 Electoral Roll; Family Seeks Inclusion

“My name is not on the list,” lamented centenarian Maha Isfaq Khan, who has cast his vote in every election since India gained independence. He now fears exclusion from the electoral rolls of Bengal. An air of anxiety looms over Khan’s family as his name did not appear in the last Special Revision (SIR) list published in 2002, leaving the 100-year-old apprehensive ahead of the current revision.

A resident of the third block of Bengal’s Chak Banshberia in the Saptagram Assembly constituency, Khan is registered under Booth No. 86. Born in 1925, he migrated from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Banshberia decades ago in search of livelihood and has lived in the area ever since. His family, comprising sons, daughters and grandchildren, includes around 30 voters.

“I could not find my name on the list. I have been voting in elections since I became of eligible age. This year the BLO came and informed,” Khan said. “I do not understand how my name is missing from the list. My entire family is enlisted. It is harassment for me. I am concerned as to what will happen next,” he added.

Despite being the head of the household, Khan’s name alone is missing from the 2002 voter list. The family perplexed by the murk of documents and paperwork, says they received the enumeration form for the ongoing SIR, but remain uncertain whether his name will be restored. They now wonder if Khan’s documentation would qualify for the enlistment process.

The family insists that Maha Isfaq has voted in every election before and after the last Lok Sabha polls in 2002. In fact, during the previous general election, polling officials had visited his home to facilitate his vote. “My father is the head of our family. My name is enlisted on the voter roll, so is my son’s, only my father’s name is missing. He is 100-years-old, and has cast his vote in every election since he became of age. My son and grandson’s name too have been listed, strangely my father’s name is missing. I hope this gets sorted,” said Maha Alias Khan, the centenarian’s son.

Maha Isfaq Khan has exercised his franchise in every election before and after the 2002 Lok Sabha polls. The family states that polling agents visited their house to help the 100-year-old cast his vote in the last election. Isfaq Khan’s family has urged authorities to resolve the discrepancy and restore his name in the updated electoral roll.​