Ten appellate tribunal judges in West Bengal have lodged formal objections to the Election Commission’s compulsory Aadhaar authentication on its portal, saying the requirement has already stalled 38.20 lakh appeal orders.
The first complaint appeared on 24 September after the authentication screen went live on 21 September; the judges requested the EC to remove the feature so that they could issue final orders.
The second objection arrived on 13 October, when the tribunals’ in‑charge again demanded that the EC fix the issue to allow smooth functioning and upload of final orders.
Alongside the portal issue, the judges highlighted cramped offices measuring only about 12 by 10 feet, a shortage of stationery, and lack of washroom facilities, all of which they say undermine the dignity of their office.
The Election Commission had earlier urged the Supreme Court to expand the number of appellate tribunals from 19 to 42 to speed up disposal of the 38.20 lakh appeals, a proposal that now faces scrutiny as the judges press for immediate remedial action.
The case will be heard by the Supreme Court on 6 November, while the EC is expected to respond to the judges’ petitions before the hearing.