Kolkata, March 26: The Election Commission of India has completed judicial scrutiny in 32 lakh voter records flagged for discrepancies during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Officials say about 40 per cent of these cases—roughly 12.8 lakh entries—have been identified as potentially ineligible for inclusion.
Key Findings from the Revision Exercise
According to officials from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal, the reviewed cases represent nearly 53 per cent of the 60 lakh entries that were initially marked for detailed examination under the “logical discrepancy” category.
Out of the 32 lakh cases adjudicated so far, approximately 12.8 lakh voters have been classified as “excludable,” meaning their names may be removed from the electoral roll, subject to further appeal.
The adjudication process is being handled by over 700 judicial officers. This includes personnel brought in from neighbouring states such as Odisha and Jharkhand to expedite the exercise.
Appeals Mechanism in Place
Authorities have clarified that individuals whose names are marked for exclusion are not immediately removed without recourse. They can challenge the decision by approaching any of the 19 Appellate Tribunals set up across the state.
This mechanism is intended to ensure procedural fairness and provide affected voters an opportunity to present their case before final decisions are made.
Rising Number of Deletions
The latest figures add to an already significant number of deletions from West Bengal’s electoral rolls.
Before these adjudications, the final electoral roll published on February 28 had already excluded over 63.6 lakh names. With an additional 12.8 lakh now identified as excludable, the total number of deletions linked to the revision exercise has risen to around 77 lakh.
For context, prior to the SIR notification issued in November, the state had approximately 7.66 crore registered voters. The draft roll released in December had already removed over 58 lakh entries, a number that increased further in the final list published in February.
Political Reactions and Concerns
The revision process has drawn criticism from sections of the political leadership. Speaking at a rally in North Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the exercise was causing undue hardship to residents.
She claimed that the process disproportionately affected tribal and backward communities, raising concerns about fairness and inclusivity.
Why This Matters
Electoral roll revisions are a routine but critical part of maintaining the integrity of elections. The SIR exercise aims to eliminate duplicate, deceased, or otherwise ineligible entries to ensure that voter lists remain accurate.
However, the scale of deletions in West Bengal—and the number of cases under scrutiny—has made this revision particularly significant. It also underscores the importance of transparent procedures and accessible appeals mechanisms to protect legitimate voters.
What Happens Next
The adjudication of the remaining cases is still ongoing. Individuals flagged as excludable can continue to approach appellate bodies for review.
The final outcome of this large-scale revision is expected to shape the accuracy of voter rolls ahead of future elections in the state, while also remaining a subject of political and public scrutiny.
inputs and images : Hindustan samachar
Edited By D.Rishidhar Reddy
About The Author
