Will Bengal's Electoral Roll Cleanup Surpass EC's Predictions?
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Synopsis
West Bengal's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is revealing a significant increase in voters' deletions projected by the Election Commission. With the digitisation process underway, the initial estimate of 10 lakh removals is expected to rise, prompting intervention from the state's Governor regarding workload concerns among booth-level officers.
Key Takeaways
- Digitisation of forms indicates a higher than expected number of deletions from the voters' list.
- The initial estimate of 10 lakh removals has increased to 14 lakh.
- The final count of deleted voters will be determined after all forms are digitised.
- Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has addressed concerns from BLOs regarding workload.
- The process is set to conclude by the end of March next year.
Kolkata, Nov 26 (NationPress) The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal reveals that the digitisation of enumeration forms suggests a significant increase in the number of voters set to be removed from the electoral rolls, far exceeding the Election Commission’s original projections.
Initially, the Election Commission anticipated that approximately 10 lakh names would be struck off the voters’ list as the digitisation of the compilation of forms by booth-level officers (BLOs) commenced.
However, by Tuesday evening, data from the digitisation process indicated that 14 lakh voters had already been identified for removal.
An official from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office noted that the digitisation effort is ongoing, with numerous forms still pending collection and processing.
“The digitisation of the enumeration forms already gathered continues. A number of forms have yet to be collected, and upon completion, they will also be digitised. Thus, it is clear that the final count of deleted voters will surpass the initial 10 lakh estimate,” stated a source within the West Bengal CEO’s office.
Clarity on the situation is expected once the draft voters’ list is published on December 9. The commission has set November 30 as the deadline for completing the digitisation process, instructing each BLO to upload a minimum of 150 completed forms daily via the BLO App.
The source further elaborated that the deletions will include names of deceased individuals, duplicates where a voter's name appears in multiple locations, and those who have relocated permanently out of the state, alongside voters who are untraceable.
As of October 27, the total number of registered electors in West Bengal stands at 7,66,37,529, indicating that approximately 2,25,546 enumeration forms are still awaiting distribution.
The SIR commenced on November 4 and is scheduled to conclude by the end of March next year.
In related news, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has made a strong statement regarding protests by some BLOs concerning the workload associated with the SIR outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s office.
“These are matters that the administration must address. Should there be any shortcomings on their part, I will certainly step in,” the Governor remarked.
Point of View
I observe that the electoral roll cleanup in West Bengal is a significant move towards ensuring transparency and accuracy in voter registration. The increase in deletions highlights the importance of thorough verification processes, and it is crucial for the Election Commission to manage this transition effectively to maintain public trust. The intervention of the Governor underscores the critical nature of this process.
NationPress
26/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The SIR is a process initiated by the Election Commission to update and correct the electoral rolls, ensuring that only eligible voters are listed.
Why are voters being removed from the rolls?
Voters are being removed due to reasons such as death, duplicate entries, permanent relocation to another state, or being untraceable.
How many voters are projected to be removed?
Current estimates suggest that around 14 lakh voters may be deleted from the rolls, significantly higher than the initial estimate of 10 lakh.
When will the draft voters' list be released?
The draft voters' list is expected to be released on December 9.
What is the deadline for completing the digitisation process?
The deadline for completing the digitisation of enumeration forms is set for November 30.
