West Bengal CEO Denies Trinamool's Allegations on Voter List
Synopsis
In a recent press conference, West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, strongly refuted allegations by the Trinamool Congress regarding fraudulent voter registrations. This statement comes amidst rising tensions as the state approaches assembly elections.
Key Takeaways
Manoj Kumar Agarwal denies all allegations of fraudulent voting practices.
Form-6 submissions are only processed at district electoral offices, not the CEO's office.
Allegations come amid a politically charged atmosphere ahead of elections.
Verification processes are in place for suspected fraudulent voter registrations.
Form-6 can be submitted year-round, not just during election periods.
Kolkata, March 31 (NationPress) - The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, has firmly dismissed claims made by the Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the alleged inclusion of voters from outside the state in the electoral rolls through mass submissions of Form-6 at the CEO's office.
“To clarify, Form-6 cannot be submitted at the CEO’s office. There is no existing software at the CEO’s office that allows for the uploading or removal of Form-6 applications from the website. Such applications are processed at the respective district electoral officers' offices,” the CEO stated to the media, shortly after learning that the Chief Minister had sent a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar earlier that day.
The letter accused agents of the Bharatiya Janata Party of submitting numerous fraudulent Form-6 applications in a bid to manipulate the Bengal voter registry.
During an election campaign meeting in Chandrakona, located in the West Midnapore district, the Chief Minister reiterated these accusations.
Additionally, State Women and Child Welfare and Social Welfare Minister Sashi Panja echoed similar sentiments during a press conference, blaming the CEO’s office.
The CEO further rejected claims from the Trinamool Congress that there had been an unlawful acceptance of a large number of Form-6 applications prior to the upcoming two-phase assembly elections in West Bengal next month, aimed at incorporating voters from other states.
“Form-6, which is intended for adding names to the voter list, can be submitted at any time throughout the year,” the CEO emphasized.
He also addressed the allegations that rules were breached by permitting an individual to submit more than 50 Form-6 applications simultaneously.
“For new voters, there are no specific regulations limiting how many forms a person can submit at once. When there are suspicions regarding a fake voter, the relevant authorities conduct identity verification through a defined process, and a report is then presented to the Commission. Appropriate actions are taken based on that report,” the CEO clarified.
Point of View
The recent statements made by the West Bengal CEO highlight the ongoing tensions in the state's political landscape. Allegations of voter fraud are serious and warrant thorough investigation, yet the CEO's clarification emphasizes procedural integrity and adherence to electoral norms.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations made against the CEO's office?
The Trinamool Congress alleges that the CEO's office is allowing the submission of fraudulent Form-6 applications to include out-of-state voters in the electoral rolls.
Who is the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal?
The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal is Manoj Kumar Agarwal.
Can Form-6 be submitted at the CEO's office?
No, Form-6 applications must be submitted at the offices of the respective district electoral officers.
What did the CEO say about the number of Form-6 applications submitted?
The CEO clarified that there are no specific rules limiting how many Form-6 applications one person can submit at a time.
