Final Voter List in West Bengal to be Released on February 28 with Special Markings
Synopsis
As West Bengal prepares for the release of its final voter list on February 28, political tensions rise amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision. Special markings will indicate pending judicial cases and deletions, reflecting the complexity of the electoral process.
Key Takeaways
The final voter list will be released on February 28.
Special markings will indicate pending judicial cases and deletions.
The total registered voters in West Bengal is around 60,06,675.
200 judicial officers will assist in the verification process.
The SIR aims to cleanse the voter list amid millions of claims and objections.
Kolkata, Feb 26 (NationPress) Political tensions are on the rise in West Bengal as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls approaches its conclusion, with the final voter list set to be unveiled on February 28, in accordance with directives from the Supreme Court.
Manoj Agarwal, the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, announced on Thursday that the list will be published as planned, incorporating special markings to address ongoing legal cases and deletions.
Agarwal elaborated that the final roll will feature two additional annotations beyond the usual format. Entries awaiting legal resolution will be marked as “Pending judicial decision,” while names that have been removed will be labeled as “Deleted.”
He indicated that the total number of registered voters in the state is approximately 60,06,675, illustrating the magnitude of this electoral exercise.
To expedite the verification process for voters identified with logical discrepancies, the Calcutta High Court has enlisted the help of 200 judicial officers, with 100 each sourced from the Odisha High Court and the Jharkhand High Court. These officers will join the team already in place for document examination and adjudication.
This decision was reached during a high-level meeting led by Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, attended by key officials such as CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal, Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Acting Director General of Police Piyush Pandey, Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar, and Special Roll Observer Subrata Gupta.
The SIR represents a significant initiative by the Election Commission to cleanse the voter list in West Bengal, triggered by millions of claims and objections received during the process.
Both the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court have been actively involved in accelerating this work, authorizing the deployment of additional judicial officers from neighboring states to efficiently verify over 8 million claims.
The Supreme Court has mandated that if full verification is not achieved by February 28, the final roll must still be published on that date, with any outstanding cases to be addressed through supplementary lists issued thereafter.
These supplementary entries will be considered part of the final roll. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has filed a petition with the Supreme Court challenging certain elements of the process, yet the court has permitted the SIR to advance.
Point of View
Highlighting the complexities involved in the electoral roll revision process. The release of the final voter list with special markings underscores the importance of transparency and accuracy in maintaining the integrity of elections.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The SIR is an initiative by the Election Commission aimed at updating and cleansing the voter list to ensure accuracy and integrity ahead of elections.
When will the final voter list be published?
The final voter list is scheduled to be published on February 28.
What do the markings on the voter list indicate?
Entries marked as 'Pending judicial decision' are under legal review, while names marked as 'Deleted' have been removed from the list.
How many voters are registered in West Bengal?
Approximately 60,06,675 voters are registered in West Bengal.
What role do judicial officers play in the voter verification process?
Judicial officers assist in verifying claims and discrepancies in the voter list to ensure a thorough and accurate revision process.
