EC publishes draft electoral rolls in Bengal; over 58 lakh names deleted under SIR
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday published the draft electoral rolls for West Bengal following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, deleting over 58 lakh names from the voters’ list in one of the largest such clean-up operations in the state.
According to the ECI, the deletions were carried out after extensive field verification to remove entries of deceased voters, duplicate registrations, those who have permanently shifted, and untraceable electors. The exercise was undertaken to ensure a more accurate and credible electoral roll ahead of upcoming elections.
Officials said the revised draft rolls have been made available on the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal website as well as the Election Commission’s voter portals, allowing citizens to check their enrollment status and the reasons for deletion, if any.
The Commission has opened a window for claims and objections, during which voters whose names are missing or incorrectly recorded can apply for correction or re-inclusion through Booth Level Officers (BLOs) or online platforms. The objection period will remain open till mid-January, after which the rolls will be finalised.
The large-scale deletions have triggered political reactions across the state. While some parties have welcomed the move as necessary to weed out irregularities, others have expressed concern over the possibility of genuine voters being excluded and have urged citizens to verify their names without delay.
Election officials, however, maintained that due process was followed at every stage. “No eligible voter will be left out if they file a valid claim within the stipulated time,” an official said, adding that the SIR exercise was conducted in accordance with established guidelines.
The publication of the draft rolls marks a key milestone in West Bengal’s electoral preparation, with the Election Commission emphasising that an accurate voters’ list is essential for free, fair and transparent elections.
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