West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Criticizes EC Over Voter List Issues
Mamata alleges voter list irregularities, warns citizens’ rights under threat.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday launched a strong critique of the Election Commission of India (ECI), raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the supplementary voter list ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Speaking to reporters at the Kolkata airport before traveling to Andal in West Burdwan, Banerjee expressed dissatisfaction with the Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Banerjee claimed that the voter lists had not been properly published and alleged a lack of transparency regarding which citizens’ names had been included or removed. “They have excluded names, and the list has still not been properly released. This is nothing short of an assault on democracy,” she stated, asserting that more than half of the entries had been selectively removed. She urged authorities to make the lists public, emphasizing that citizens have a fundamental right to verify whether their names appear on the electoral rolls.
The Chief Minister further described the system as a “vanishing machine” that was erasing voter rights, suggesting that a significant number of people had been disenfranchised. Banerjee also criticized the BJP-led central government, questioning its role in the process and warning that voters would respond decisively at the ballot box. Her comments come amid growing political tension in West Bengal, with opposition parties increasingly voicing concerns over the integrity of electoral rolls and the overall conduct of elections.
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In addition to electoral issues, Banerjee addressed concerns regarding fuel supply within the state, particularly in light of ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. She stressed that cooking gas produced in West Bengal should remain available for local residents and not be diverted outside the state if it risks disrupting supply.
Banerjee noted that the arrival of large numbers of Central forces and officials for election duty could increase demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and called for safeguards to prevent shortages affecting residents. While the Centre has maintained that there is no shortage of fuel in India and assured adequate stocks despite global uncertainties, Banerjee emphasized that West Bengal would remain vigilant to protect the interests of its citizens.
Her statements highlight a dual focus on electoral transparency and local resource security, underscoring the heightened political sensitivities as West Bengal approaches the 2026 assembly elections. Analysts suggest that these issues could further intensify debates over governance and citizen rights in the state.
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