ECI Begins Phased Publication of Post-SIR Electoral Rolls in West Bengal; 1.18 Lakh Names Deleted in Bankura

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has begun the phased publication of updated electoral rolls in West Bengal following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

In Bankura district alone, approximately 1.18 lakh names have reportedly been deleted from the voter list after the verification process.

Hard Copies Displayed in Districts

As part of the publication process, hard copies of the revised electoral rolls were put up at designated locations in districts including Bankura district and Cooch Behar district.

However, the updated rolls were yet to be uploaded on the official ECI portals and mobile application at the time of publication, leading to queries from political parties and residents seeking digital access.

Officials stated that the uploading process is underway and that the online versions will be made available soon.

Deletions After Verification

According to sources, the deletion of 1.18 lakh names in Bankura followed door-to-door verification, scrutiny of duplicate entries, and removal of deceased or shifted voters as part of the SIR exercise.

The Election Commission maintains that the revision process is aimed at ensuring a clean and accurate voter list ahead of upcoming electoral exercises.

Political Reactions

The large-scale deletions have sparked political reactions in the state, with opposition parties demanding transparency and timely online publication of the updated rolls to allow voters to verify their status.

Political representatives have urged authorities to ensure that genuine voters are not inadvertently removed and have called for a streamlined grievance redressal mechanism.

Grievance Redressal Process

ECI officials clarified that individuals whose names have been deleted can file claims and objections within the prescribed time frame. Booth-level officers (BLOs) and electoral registration officers (EROs) have been instructed to facilitate corrections and address concerns raised by citizens.

Next Steps

The phased publication will continue across other districts in West Bengal in the coming days. The Commission has emphasized that the revision process is routine and conducted periodically to maintain the integrity of electoral rolls.

Citizens are advised to check their names in the published lists and submit necessary applications if corrections are required once the rolls are fully available both offline and online.