West Bengal’s draft voter list has triggered fresh political controversy after 58 lakh names were deleted during the Special Intensive Revision. The Election Commission released the draft list after completing the first phase of SIR, an exercise last conducted in the state in 2002.
Official data shows that 24 lakh names were marked as deceased. Around 19 lakh voters were listed as relocated. Another 12 lakh were categorised as missing, while 1.3 lakh entries were flagged as duplicates. The revision aims to remove duplication and errors ahead of the next Assembly elections.
Voters whose names are missing from the draft list can file objections and seek corrections. Authorities will examine claims before publishing the final voter list in February next year. The Election Commission is expected to announce election dates after the final list is released.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy termed the deletions unjust. He alleged a conspiracy to remove genuine voters and said the party has opened assistance booths to help affected voters submit forms.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also opposed the exercise. She accused the Centre and the Election Commission of targeting eligible voters. At a recent rally, she urged people to protest if their names were deleted.
The BJP rejected the allegations. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said SIR removes fake and illegal voters. He claimed the Trinamool fears losing power due to voter list cleanup.
The issue is expected to dominate Bengal’s political discourse in the coming months.
