WB Voter Purge: 58L Names Cut Amid Row
By KUNAL CHATTERJEE
A major administrative and political upheaval has erupted in West Bengal over the voter list ahead of the elections. According to the draft voter list published by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the names of over 58 lakh voters have been marked for deletion in the state. This draft list, released after the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, marks the end of the enumeration phase. Simultaneously, a more sensitive phase has begun, that of claims, objections, and hearings.
According to the Election Commission, the second phase of the three-phase SIR process will continue until February 2026. The final voter list will be published on February 14, 2026, a date of immense significance given the high-stakes state assembly elections scheduled to be held just before that.
The commission's statistics show that a total of 58,20,898 voters have been marked for deletion in the draft list. The largest group, 24,16,852 voters, have been identified as deceased. The second largest group consists of 19,88,076 voters who have permanently moved elsewhere or migrated outside the state.
In addition, 12,20,038 voters have been identified as 'missing'. At the same time, 1,38,328 names have been listed as duplicate, fake, or fraudulent entries. Another 57,604 names have been proposed for deletion under the category of 'other reasons'.
However, the commission has clarified that those whose names have been deleted or proposed for deletion in the draft list can submit their claims and objections using Form 6. After submitting the application with the necessary documents, the matter will be reconsidered after a hearing.
The SIR process in West Bengal began on November 4 and ended on December 11, a highly compressed timeframe of just seven days. This short period saw intense controversy surrounding the entire process. Administrative sources claim that a large number of illegal Bangladeshi citizens left the state during the operation. On the other hand, some Block Level Officers (BLOs) protested, citing excessive workload, strict deadlines, and practical problems at the ground level.
The ruling Trinamool Congress has levelled even more serious allegations. The party claims that approximately 40 election officials have died due to work pressure and mental stress during the SIR (Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls) process. However, the Election Commission has not yet issued any official acknowledgment or detailed response regarding this allegation.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been strongly opposing the SIR process since its inception. She alleges that the BJP and the Election Commission are making a well-planned attempt to manipulate the voter list just before the assembly elections. The Chief Minister has clearly stated at several rallies, "The people of Bengal will not be deprived of their right to vote."
In a strong statement at an election rally, she said, "If your name is removed from the voter list, then the central government should also be removed." This comment has further intensified the political heat in the state.
Notably, the SIR process is being conducted simultaneously in West Bengal, as well as in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. However, political observers agree that its impact and political repercussions are most intense in West Bengal ahead of the elections.
After the draft list, all eyes are now on the claims, objections, and hearing phase. This stage will determine who will be reinstated in the voter list and who will be permanently excluded. This phase will effectively determine the final shape of Bengal's voter map before the 2026 assembly election.
