Election Commission Reports Nearly 91 Lakh Deletions in West Bengal Electoral Rolls

Nearly 91 lakh voters have been removed from West Bengal’s electoral rolls following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, according to data released by the Election Commission of India. The poll panel has yet to announce the final voter base after completing the revision process.

Initial figures published on February 28 indicated that 63.66 lakh names, roughly 8.3% of the electorate, had already been deleted since the SIR began in November, reducing the voter base from 7.66 crore to just over 7.04 crore. More than 60 lakh entries were initially marked as “under adjudication.”

Following detailed scrutiny by judicial officers, over 27.16 lakh of the disputed entries were deleted, while 32.68 lakh were retained and incorporated into the final rolls. Cumulatively, the total deletions during the SIR now stand at approximately 90.83 lakh, reflecting extensive verification and cross-checking of entries.

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The Election Commission described the revision as being conducted in a “phased and transparent manner,” with district-wise data made publicly available to ensure accountability. Of the 60.06 lakh adjudicated cases, data for 59.84 lakh has been published, while the remaining 22,163 cases have been processed and are awaiting e-signatures. Minor adjustments to figures may occur once all procedural formalities are complete.

With the final supplementary list released, the electoral rolls for the first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections have been frozen. Out of the state’s 294 seats, 152 will vote on April 23, and the remaining 142 seats will go to the polls on April 29. Rolls for the second phase will be frozen on April 9, and no further additions to the voter list will be permitted at this stage.

Election officials noted that any future changes to the voter base will depend on legal provisions or directions from competent authorities. The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear related matters on April 13, which may influence any subsequent modifications to the electoral rolls.

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