No ‘legacy’ needed: How CAA certificates are bridging voter registration gap for Matuas in West Bengal
The BJP supports this move, saying it is a victory for refugee rights, while the TMC raises questions about the necessity of this measure.
As per the rule, voters are typically required to show a "linkage" to the 2002 electoral rolls, either through their own name or a family member's record. (file)
The Election Commission of India (ECI)’s decision to recognise citizenship certificates issued under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as valid documentation for voter registration will be beneficial for the Matua community in West Bengal.
Following the release of the draft electoral list after Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Matuas who have recently secured citizenship may now apply for voter inclusion using Form 6, specifically citing their CAA certificate as proof.
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Many voters faced deletion because they lacked family records in the 2002 electoral rolls. The ECI has clarified that the CAA certificate—which contains comprehensive personal data—is sufficient to bridge this “no mapping” gap and establish eligibility.
As per the rule, voters are typically required to show a “linkage” to the 2002 electoral rolls, either through their own name or a family member’s record.
Many residents, particularly within the Matua community, lack these historical records, putting them at risk of being deleted from the voter list. The ECI has clarified that a CAA certificate is sufficient to establish this linkage. Because the certificate contains verified personal and background data, it serves as a stand-alone document to prove eligibility for the final voter list.
The BJP has generally supported the move. BJP leader Jagannath Chatterjee said, “Approximately 70,000 people have already applied for the CAA certificate. The inclusion of these names in the voter list is a victory for refugee rights. For Hindu refugees, the BJP is there like Himalaya to protect them.”
This follows previous controversy where BJP leader Shantanu Thakur faced criticism for suggesting he would accept the deletion of one lakh Matua names from the rolls in the process of deletion of illegal infiltrators from Bangladesh..
“Those who have come after 2014 are normally eligible for the CAA certificate. Also, those who have a CAA certificate will normally have their names in the electoral roll. What is so special about it?” said TMC Spokesperson Aroop Chakraborty.
As per the rule, voters are typically required to show a "linkage" to the 2002 electoral rolls, either through their own name or a family member's record. (file) 
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