Mamata Banerjee Alleges 54 Lakh Names Deleted From Bengal Voter Rolls During Special Revision
New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that the Election Commission had unilaterally deleted 54 lakh names from the draft electoral rolls in the state during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). She claimed the deletions were carried out using artificial intelligence tools and through what she described as a misuse of powers by electoral registration officers.
Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee said that a large number of those removed from the rolls were genuine voters who were not informed about the reasons behind their deletion or given a chance to respond.
Allegations of AI Use and Lack of Transparency
The Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that the Election Commission, while operating from Delhi, used AI-based tools to identify and delete voter names, leading to large-scale exclusions. According to her, mismatches in data during the SIR exercise were flagged through these tools, resulting in removals without proper verification on the ground.
Banerjee specifically highlighted that many women voters were affected, claiming that names were deleted due to surname changes after marriage. She argued that such cases should not have been treated as discrepancies warranting removal from the electoral rolls.
Claims of Procedural Changes and Further Deletions
The chief minister also alleged that the concept of “logical discrepancy” was not part of the original SIR guidelines and was added later to justify additional deletions. She claimed that this change led to a sharp increase in the number of names removed from the draft rolls.
Banerjee further alleged that the Election Commission, in coordination with the BJP, was planning to delete another one crore names before the final electoral rolls are published. She described the situation as deeply concerning and accused the poll body of compromising its neutrality.
Role of Booth-Level Agents Questioned
Raising concerns over the conduct of the verification exercise, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of restricting the role of booth-level agents. She claimed that second-level booth agents were not allowed to attend hearings during the revision process.
According to her, the restriction was imposed because the BJP was unable to mobilise enough party workers to participate effectively in the exercise. She said this undermined transparency and reduced oversight during a crucial democratic process.
Political Tensions Over Voter List Revision
The allegations come amid rising political tensions in West Bengal over the voter list revision exercise. The Trinamool Congress has repeatedly claimed that the process is being used to selectively target certain sections of voters ahead of future elections.
As of now, the Election Commission has not issued a response to Banerjee’s allegations. The issue is expected to further intensify political debate in the state, with the opposition and the poll body likely to face increased scrutiny over the conduct of the revision process.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The voter list revision exercise in West Bengal has emerged as a major flashpoint in state politics, with serious allegations being levelled against the Election Commission. Mamata Banerjee’s claims raise questions about transparency, accountability, and the use of technology in electoral processes. While voter roll verification is a routine democratic exercise, its credibility depends on trust and clear communication. How the Election Commission responds to these allegations will be critical in shaping public confidence ahead of future electoral contests.