West Bengal Electoral Roll Final Publication Due Saturday; 60 Lakh Electors Under Judicial Review

The fate of over 60 lakh voters in West Bengal remains uncertain as the Election Commission prepares to publish the final electoral roll following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Supreme Court-appointed judicial officers are reviewing the eligibility of 6,066,675 electors, representing approximately 8.5% of the state’s total electorate, raising concerns about potential exclusion from the rolls. This development comes despite many of these voters having been cleared previously by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).

Election officials said the number of flagged names surged in the final phase of hearings conducted on February 14, with estimates jumping from a few lakh to over 60 lakh voters. The unprecedented spike has left both electors and EROs in the dark about the reasons for potential removal, adding to confusion and anxiety ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections. Several voters have reported receiving no prior communication about the review process, fuelling uncertainty across districts.

An ERO involved in the process explained that the first phase of the SIR, conducted in November and December, involved meticulous collection and uploading of enumeration forms. “The work of compiling voter data was thorough and comprehensive,” the official said, highlighting the extensive effort that went into verifying voter details. Despite this, the ongoing review by judicial officers has created a disconnect between initial approvals and current eligibility checks.

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Assistant EROs noted that many names were flagged due to discrepancies detected in voter information, including duplicate entries, mismatched addresses, and inconsistencies in identity documents. Officials also cited procedural updates under the nationwide Special Intensive Revision guidelines, which require additional scrutiny to ensure that only eligible voters are included. These factors have contributed to the unusually high number of electors under review.

The Election Commission has urged voters to regularly check the status of their names and contact ERO offices for clarification. Authorities stressed that no final decision has yet been taken and that the judicial review process is designed to strengthen the integrity of electoral rolls. Analysts noted that the timing of the review, close to the upcoming Assembly elections, has heightened political sensitivities and public concern.

As the final roll publication approaches, the situation underscores the challenges of balancing voter inclusion with electoral integrity. For millions of residents in West Bengal, the uncertainty surrounding their eligibility has significant implications for participation in the democratic process. Election officials continue to assure voters that efforts are underway to resolve discrepancies and ensure a transparent, fair voting process for all eligible citizens.

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