The Election Commission of India (ECI) has identified over 58.8 lakh voters for deletion from West Bengal’s electoral rolls after the month-long Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive. The draft electoral rolls, which include the names of voters marked for removal, are now available on the official website of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and on the ECI voter portal.
According to sources, the list includes 24,18,699 deceased voters whose names are still on the rolls, 19,93,087 voters who have changed their addresses, 12,01,462 voters who could not be traced, and 1,37,575 voters identified as fraudulent. Additionally, 57,509 voters fall under the “other” category and will also be removed. The SIR drive aims to clean the voter list and ensure accuracy before the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections in the state.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has strongly criticised the move. The party alleges that the SIR is being used to drive certain groups of people out of West Bengal and has urged the EC to halt the deletion exercise. The TMC has repeatedly warned against pressuring Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in the process and has accused the opposition of misusing the SIR to influence election outcomes.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the main opposition in the state, has welcomed the SIR and slammed the TMC for its criticism. The BJP claims that the TMC relies on infiltrators as a part of its vote bank and fears that the SIR will reduce this influence. Political analysts say the removal of over 58 lakh names is likely to create significant debate and controversy ahead of the state elections.
The deletion of such a large number of names is expected to influence the voting dynamics in West Bengal. Examining past election data helps understand the stakes. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 22 out of 42 seats, while the BJP won 18 seats. The TMC received 2,47,57,345 votes, accounting for 43.69% of the total, whereas the BJP received 2,30,28,517 votes, or 40.64%. The vote difference between the two parties was only 17,28,828 votes, or 3.05%, indicating a tight contest.
The 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections saw a clear victory for the TMC under Mamata Banerjee, who secured a third consecutive term as Chief Minister. The TMC won 215 seats, while the BJP won 77 seats out of 294 total. The TMC received 2,89,68,281 votes, or 48.02%, while the BJP got 2,29,05,474 votes, or 37.97%. The vote difference widened to 60,62,807, or 10.05%, showing a significant lead for the ruling party.
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However, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s tally decreased to 12 seats from 18 in 2019, while the TMC won 22 seats. The TMC received 2,76,74,133 votes, or 46.16%, and the BJP got 2,34,31,081 votes, or 39.08%. The vote difference between them narrowed to 42,43,052, or 7.08%, suggesting that the BJP still has a strong base in the state. Analysts say these shifting vote margins indicate a competitive political environment in West Bengal and set the stage for intense campaigning ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
The SIR exercise, by cleaning the electoral rolls, may have a direct impact on voter numbers and voter turnout. Removing deceased, relocated, and fraudulent voters ensures that only eligible voters are allowed to cast their votes. This may also reduce the influence of any group relying on non-genuine or inactive voters, which could affect party vote shares.
The TMC has warned that deleting voters en masse could create unrest among citizens and may be used by political opponents to portray the ruling party as suppressing certain communities. Meanwhile, the EC has defended the process, calling it a routine exercise to maintain accurate electoral rolls. The commission has asked all parties, including the TMC, to avoid spreading rumours and to cooperate with the SIR procedure.
Political experts say the 2026 Assembly elections in West Bengal are likely to be closely fought, and voter list changes will play a crucial role. Both the TMC and BJP are expected to intensify their campaigns, especially in constituencies where the margin of victory has historically been narrow. The results of past elections show that even a small shift in votes can change the outcome, making the SIR a critical factor in the upcoming polls.
In conclusion, the deletion of over 58 lakh names in West Bengal has created a major political debate. With Assembly elections scheduled for next year, parties are closely watching the situation. While the EC insists that the move is necessary for clean and accurate voter rolls, the TMC sees it as a challenge to its electoral base, and the BJP sees an opportunity to strengthen its position. The coming months will be crucial in shaping the political landscape of West Bengal and determining how voter list changes affect the balance of power in the state.
The SIR, along with past election trends, indicates that West Bengal will witness intense political competition, and every vote will matter. Both ruling and opposition parties are preparing to address voter concerns and maximize support, as the stage is set for a high-stakes 2026 Assembly election.
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