West Bengal: Electoral Roll Revision Faces Scrutiny Amid Mass Deletions | Quick Digest
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal's electoral rolls has sparked controversy, with 58 lakh names deleted and nearly 95 lakh flagged for 'logical discrepancies.' The Election Commission is addressing concerns by planning an online portal and exempting certain voters from physical hearings.
Over 58 lakh names deleted from West Bengal's draft voter list.
91-95 lakh voters identified with 'logical discrepancies' requiring verification.
Election Commission plans a new portal for online document submission for discrepancies.
Physical hearing exemptions granted for migrant workers, NRIs, and government employees.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC raise strong objections, alleging political motives.
Nobel laureate Amartya Sen also received a hearing notice for spelling errors.
The Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal is facing intense scrutiny, particularly concerning the deletion of approximately 58 lakh names and the identification of 91 to 95 lakh 'logical discrepancies.' These discrepancies, which include issues like name mismatches with the 2002 voter list, unusual age gaps between family members, and multiple voters linked to a single father, are part of an exercise aimed at ensuring accurate and updated voter lists ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The process has drawn strong criticism from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee writing to the Chief Election Commissioner to either rectify the glitches or halt the SIR. The TMC alleges that the deletions and stringent verification process are politically motivated and designed to disenfranchise legitimate voters.
In response to public and political concerns, the ECI is planning to launch a dedicated online portal. This portal will allow voters with 'logical discrepancies' to upload necessary documents digitally before appearing for physical hearings, aiming to streamline the process and alleviate logistical burdens. Furthermore, the ECI has issued directives exempting several categories of voters from mandatory physical hearings, including government and PSU employees, migrant workers, military personnel, students, patients, and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). These individuals can now be represented by family members, providing a significant relief to those residing outside the state.
The comprehensive revision has affected a wide range of citizens, even prominent figures such as Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, who reportedly received a hearing notice due to spelling errors in his enumeration form. The final electoral rolls are expected to be published by February 7, 2026, following the completion of hearings and resolution of claims and objections. The ongoing SIR highlights the complexities and political sensitivities inherent in large-scale electoral roll revisions in India.
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