Kolkata, India , December 16, 2025 :
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has published the draft electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) for 2026 across several states and Union Territories, triggering intense political debate—particularly in West Bengal, where more than 58 lakh voter names have been deleted.
According to ECI officials, the deletions in West Bengal were carried out after verification and are attributed to multiple reasons, including deceased voters, permanent migration, non-availability at registered addresses, and duplicate entries. The revision exercise also covers Rajasthan, Goa, Puducherry, and Lakshadweep, as part of a nationwide effort to ensure accurate and updated voter lists ahead of upcoming elections.
The Election Commission has emphasized that the draft rolls are not final, and eligible voters have been provided an opportunity to check their status and file claims or objections. Citizens can submit corrections or inclusion requests through the ECI’s online voter portal, mobile applications, or by visiting designated Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the claims period.
However, the large-scale deletions in West Bengal have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who allege that voter names were selectively removed in certain regions, potentially impacting electoral outcomes. The ECI has rejected these claims, maintaining that the revision process follows transparent, rule-based procedures and is essential for preventing electoral malpractice.
The final electoral rolls will be published after all claims and objections are examined, with the Commission urging voters to verify their details to avoid disenfranchisement.
