Mamata Banerjee Alleges ECI Irregularities in West Bengal SIR Exercise
Debasish Bhaduri | The Hindu
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday intensified her confrontation with the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging serious irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State. The allegations were made while she was concluding her two-day visit to Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district, where she was overseeing preparations for the upcoming Gangasagar Mela.
The SIR exercise is a periodic process conducted by the ECI to update electoral rolls by removing duplicate entries, correcting errors, and ensuring that only eligible voters are included. In West Bengal, the exercise is being carried out amid heightened political tension ahead of the next Assembly elections, making the process particularly sensitive.
According to the Chief Minister, the manner in which the SIR is being implemented has raised serious constitutional and democratic concerns. She alleged that eligible voters were being wrongly marked as deceased and that elderly, sick, and physically unfit citizens were being compelled to attend hearings as part of the verification process.
Key Features of the Controversy
A major allegation raised by the Chief Minister relates to the alleged use of mobile applications developed by the BJP’s IT cell for conducting the SIR exercise. She claimed that the use of such applications by a constitutional authority like the ECI is illegal and undermines the neutrality of the electoral process.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has further alleged that the SIR exercise has been carried out in an arbitrary and procedurally irregular manner, leading to harassment of voters. On the same day as the Chief Minister’s remarks, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien moved the Supreme Court, challenging the conduct of the ECI in West Bengal. The petition reportedly argues that the SIR has aggravated difficulties for genuine and eligible electors instead of simplifying the electoral process.
The Chief Minister has urged citizens to remain vigilant while participating in the SIR and to support those who are facing difficulties due to the exercise, positioning the issue as one affecting ordinary voters rather than political parties.
Impact Analysis
The allegations have significant political and social implications. From a democratic standpoint, concerns over voter disenfranchisement strike at the core of electoral integrity. Claims of eligible voters being marked incorrectly could potentially affect voter turnout and public trust in the electoral system.
Socially, the reported difficulties faced by elderly and unwell voters have raised questions about administrative sensitivity and accessibility. Critics argue that any large-scale electoral revision must factor in ground realities, especially in a State with a large rural and aging population.
Politically, the issue has sharpened tensions between the State government and the ECI, with the confrontation unfolding months before crucial elections. The legal challenge in the Supreme Court adds another layer of complexity, potentially setting precedents on how SIR exercises are conducted across the country.
While there is no immediate economic impact, prolonged uncertainty around electoral processes can indirectly affect governance, investor sentiment, and administrative focus, particularly in politically charged environments.
Future Outlook
On Monday, January 5, 2026, the Chief Minister had already indicated her intention to approach the courts against the ECI’s actions, alleging fear, harassment, and administrative arbitrariness, which she claimed had led to deaths and hospitalisations. With the matter now reaching the Supreme Court, the coming weeks are likely to be crucial.
The ECI is expected to respond formally to the allegations, either through court submissions or official clarification. The outcome of the legal proceedings could influence not only the continuation of the SIR exercise in West Bengal but also how such revisions are carried out nationwide in the future.
As the Assembly elections draw closer, the SIR controversy is set to remain a key political flashpoint in the State.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
The confrontation between the West Bengal government and the Election Commission highlights the fragile balance between administrative authority and democratic trust. While electoral roll revisions are essential for free and fair elections, transparency, neutrality, and sensitivity towards voters remain equally critical. How institutions address these concerns will play a decisive role in shaping public confidence ahead of the polls.