Mamata Banerjee Urges Election Commission to Halt SIR in Bengal Amid Rising Concerns
Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding an immediate halt to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. Calling the process “unplanned, chaotic and dangerous,” Banerjee warned that continuing the current drive could “endanger more lives” and “jeopardise the legitimacy of the electoral system.”
Her strongly worded letter comes after the deaths of two Booth Level Officers (BLOs) since the SIR began on November 4. A third BLO suffered a cerebral attack on Wednesday and is currently hospitalised. The incidents have triggered widespread concern among officials tasked with the door-to-door verification process.
A senior Election Commission official in Delhi responded, saying, “We will examine the concerns flagged by the chief minister closely and issue a due response.”
In her letter, Banerjee urged decisive intervention from the Election Commission.
She wrote, “Halt the ongoing exercise, stop coercive measures, provide proper training and support, and reassess the methodology and timelines.” She emphasised that if corrective steps are not taken urgently, the impact on citizens and electoral personnel could be “irreversible.”
Banerjee accused the CEO’s office in West Bengal of “intimidation,” alleging that BLOs were being issued show-cause notices without justification. She said BLOs lacked adequate training, support, and time to complete a “mammoth exercise,” forcing them to operate “beyond human limits.”
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, sharply criticised Banerjee’s objections.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT cell, wrote on X, “Mamata Banerjee wants to stall the SIR because it will flush out illegal Bangladeshi immigrants who form her vote bank… Her political survival depends on shielding a voter base created through fraudulent means.”
The SIR process, announced on October 27, is underway in nine states and three Union Territories, with December 4 set as the enumeration deadline. The first draft electoral roll is scheduled for release on December 9. West Bengal heads into its next Assembly elections in March–April 2026, intensifying the political stakes surrounding the revision exercise.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Mamata Banerjee’s appeal to halt the SIR reflects escalating tensions ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. While concerns over BLO deaths and inadequate preparation raise legitimate questions about administrative safety and logistical planning, the political blame-game between the TMC and BJP signals how electoral reforms continue to be interpreted through partisan lenses. The Election Commission now faces the dual challenge of safeguarding its personnel while ensuring a credible and transparent voter-roll revision. As the December 4 deadline approaches, Bengal’s political environment is set for intensified scrutiny, making the EC’s next steps crucial for public trust and electoral confidence.