The Election Commission of India revealed on Tuesday that 13.92 lakh Summary Revision of Electoral Roll (SIR) forms have been categorised as “uncollectable” across West Bengal, indicating a massive cleanup of the state’s voter list ahead of future elections. The figure, which stood at 10.33 lakh just a day earlier, is expected to rise further as field verification continues at an accelerated pace.

According to senior officials, forms are marked “uncollectable” when Booth Level Officers discover that the concerned voter is either permanently absent, duplicate, deceased, or has shifted residence without intimation. This large-scale identification of invalid entries has triggered intense political scrutiny, with the Commission emphasising that the exercise is purely administrative and aimed at ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the electoral rolls.

An extensive machinery involving more than 80,600 Booth Level Officers, 8,000 supervisors, 3,000 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, and 294 Electoral Registration Officers has been deployed across the state since the Special Intensive Revision commenced. These personnel are conducting door-to-door verification, distributing forms, collecting proofs of residence and identity, and updating records in what is being described as one of the most thorough voter-list purification drives in recent years.

Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav Accuses Election Commission of Withholding Voter Data, Alleges Bias in Bihar Polls

The rapid daily increase in uncollectable forms has raised questions about the extent of previous electoral roll inflation. Commission sources indicated that the final tally could cross 15 lakh once the ongoing house-to-house campaign concludes, potentially altering the demographic composition of numerous assembly segments and affecting political calculations in a state known for fiercely contested elections.

Tragically, the intensive fieldwork has exacted a human cost, with three Booth Level Officers having lost their lives during the revision process so far. The Election Commission has expressed condolences and stated that it is examining the circumstances while ensuring the safety of remaining personnel. As the purification drive gathers momentum, West Bengal’s electoral landscape appears poised for significant reconfiguration before the next major poll cycle.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Chori’ Charge Unravels as Women Deny Fraud, Cite Clerical Errors