BJP Claims More Names Could Have Been Removed from West Bengal Voter List Under ECI's Full Authority
Synopsis
The BJP in West Bengal has claimed that the Election Commission of India could have removed even more names from the electoral rolls if given complete autonomy during the Special Intensive Revision process, citing issues with illegal immigrants and deceased voters.
Key Takeaways
61,78,245 names have been removed from West Bengal's electoral rolls.
The BJP claims that the ECI could have eliminated more names if given full authority.
Allegations of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants being on the rolls.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been accused of hindering the SIR process.
Ongoing judicial reviews could further impact the number of deleted voters.
Kolkata, Feb 28 (NationPress) On Saturday, the BJP in West Bengal asserted that a greater number of names could have been removed from the state's electoral rolls if the Election Commission of India (ECI) had been granted full authority to implement the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
In response to the release of the final voters’ list, Debjit Sarkar, the spokesperson for BJP in the state, alleged that the rolls had over the years accommodated illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and Rohingya individuals, as well as the names of deceased voters.
“This outcome was inevitable as West Bengal’s electoral list had, for years, been tainted with the names of illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims, along with those of deceased individuals. Today, the Election Commission of India has successfully removed such names from the rolls,” Sarkar stated in an interview with IANS.
The final voters’ list, released on Saturday as part of the SIR process, indicated that a total of 61,78,245 names have been eliminated to date.
Sarkar further contended that the ruling Trinamool Congress government had sought to obstruct the SIR process. “If the Election Commission had been allowed full autonomy, even more voters would have been eliminated from the list. This was a scheme by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to sabotage the SIR process and misguide the public,” he remarked.
The Election Commission noted that the number of removed voters might rise, as identity documents for approximately 60 lakh voters are currently undergoing judicial review by officials appointed by the ECI, following directives from the Supreme Court.
Earlier in the day, at a press conference, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, mentioned that the total count of “approved” voters in the final list is 7,04,59,284.
“When the SIR commenced in November of the previous year, the total voter count was 7,66,37,529. This number decreased to 7,08,16,630. Now, according to the final voters’ list, the total number of ‘approved’ voters stands at 7,04,59,284, indicating that 61,78,245 voters have been removed throughout this process,” Agarwal elaborated.
Point of View
It is essential to consider the implications of such statements. The ongoing debate over the integrity of voter lists highlights the complexities of immigration and electoral processes in India. Maintaining a transparent and efficient electoral system is vital for democratic integrity.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise?
The SIR exercise is an initiative by the Election Commission of India aimed at updating and revising electoral rolls to ensure their accuracy and integrity.
Why does the BJP claim more names should be removed from voter lists?
The BJP alleges that many names on the voter rolls belong to illegal immigrants and deceased individuals, which compromises the integrity of the electoral process.
How many names have been deleted from the electoral rolls so far?
So far, a total of 61,78,245 names have been deleted from the electoral rolls in West Bengal as part of the SIR process.
What role does the Election Commission of India (ECI) play in this process?
The ECI is responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India, which includes updating and maintaining the accuracy of electoral rolls through exercises like the SIR.
What allegations have been made against the Trinamool Congress government?
The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress government of attempting to obstruct the SIR process to mislead the public regarding the integrity of the voter rolls.
