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The CM urged the Election Commission to immediately rectify the flaws, address procedural glitches, and ensure transparency
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.
Bengal SIR: Mamata Flags Procedural Lapses In Electoral Roll Revision, Writes Third Letter To CEC
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar expressing serious concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, alleging procedural lapses, arbitrariness, and violations of due process.
In the letter dated January 3, 2026, Banerjee stated that critical instructions related to the SIR are being communicated informally through WhatsApp messages and text messages, without formal written notifications, circulars, or statutory orders. She argued that this lack of formal documentation undermines transparency, accuracy, and accountability, and could lead to the disenfranchisement of genuine voters.
The Chief Minister also raises allegations of backend deletion of voters’ names through IT systems without the knowledge or approval of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), questioning the legal authority under which such actions are being taken. She said that this contravenes provisions of the Representation of the People Act and demands accountability from the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Letter to the CEC dated 03.01.2026-2026-01-75001f832e682ddeb3fae9e2abf4e4ce
Banerjee further noted that documents such as the Family Register, which were accepted as valid identity proof during SIR exercises in states like Bihar, are reportedly being rejected in West Bengal through informal communications, without any formal notification. She describes this as discriminatory and arbitrary. Similarly, Permanent Residence or Domicile Certificates issued by state authorities are reportedly being disallowed.
The letter highlighted difficulties faced by voters, including migrant workers, elderly, infirm, and seriously ill citizens, who are being summoned for hearings without clear reasons and made to travel long distances of 20-25 kilometres. Hearings, she said, have been centralised instead of decentralised, causing severe hardship.
Banerjee also pointed out that Booth-Level Agents (BLAs) were involved during enumeration but have been denied access during hearings, raising questions about fairness and transparency. She alleged that observers and micro-observers are being appointed without consultation with the state government and that many lack adequate training, affecting the credibility of the process.
Concluding the letter, the Chief Minister urged the Election Commission to immediately rectify the flaws, address procedural glitches, and ensure transparency. She warned that if the SIR continues in its current form, it could result in large-scale disenfranchisement and cause irreparable damage to democratic governance.
January 04, 2026, 6:27 PM IST
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