Bengal SIR: Judicial Review Concludes for 32 Lakh Cases, 40% Excluded
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has completed the judicial adjudication for over 32 lakh cases in Bengal, with 40% found excludable. This critical process allows affected voters to appeal, showcasing the ongoing complexities of the electoral revision in the state.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission completed the judicial review for 32 lakh cases.
40% of these cases were found excludable.
Affected voters can appeal to 19 Appellate Tribunals.
Over 700 judicial officers are involved in the process.
The final voters' list has seen significant deletions since the revision began.
Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Wednesday evening that out of the 60 lakh cases identified under the “logical discrepancy” category, the judicial adjudication process has successfully concluded for 32 lakh cases as of Tuesday night, conducted by the appointed judicial officer.
This completion signifies that approximately 53 percent of the total cases referred for judicial adjudication in the state have been processed, according to a source from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal.
Of the 32 lakh cases that have undergone the judicial adjudication process, around 28.8 lakh (or 40 percent) have been deemed excludable.
Those voters identified as excludable will have the opportunity to appeal to one of the 19 Appellate Tribunals set up for this purpose.
Currently, more than 700 judicial officers are actively engaged in the adjudication process, which includes 100 officers each from the neighboring states of Odisha and Jharkhand.
It is noteworthy that the final voters' list in West Bengal, excluding the 60 lakh cases under judicial review, was published on February 28, which already saw 63,66,952 names removed.
With approximately 12.80 lakh identified as excludable during the adjudication, the total number of deleted names now stands at around 77 lakh.
Prior to the notification of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issued for West Bengal in November of last year, the total voters in the state were recorded at 7,66,37,529. The draft voters list published in December last year indicated a deletion of 58,20,899 names, which increased to 63,66,952 in the final voters list released on February 28.
In a speech during an election rally in North Bengal on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the ECI, claiming that the organization is unduly harassing the citizens of the state through this revision process. She accused the Commission of specifically targeting individuals from tribal and backward communities under the guise of the SIR.
Point of View
The completion of the judicial adjudication process in West Bengal highlights the complexities of electoral management. With a significant portion of cases found excludable, it raises questions about the integrity of voter lists and the implications for future elections.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the judicial adjudication process?
The judicial adjudication process is a review mechanism where cases of voter discrepancies are evaluated to determine their validity and whether voters should be excluded from the electoral roll.
How many cases were adjudicated in West Bengal?
As of Tuesday night, the adjudication process has been completed for 32 lakh cases out of a total of 60 lakh identified under the logical discrepancy category.
What percentage of cases were found excludable?
Approximately 40 percent of the completed cases, which equates to around 28.8 lakh, were found to be excludable.
Can voters appeal if they are found excludable?
Yes, voters who have been identified as excludable can appeal to one of the 19 Appellate Tribunals set up for this purpose.
What was the total number of voters in West Bengal before this revision?
Before the Special Intensive Revision was initiated, the total number of voters in West Bengal was recorded at 7,66,37,529.
