Election Commission Releases Draft Electoral Rolls in West Bengal Following SIR Process

By John Pranay (Editor)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the draft electoral rolls in West Bengal following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The updated list, which was published on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, carries the names of 7,08,16,631 voters, a decrease of 58,20,898 from the previous electorate of 7,66,37,529. The SIR exercise aimed to ensure accuracy in the voter rolls, but political parties have alleged it's a politically motivated move to alter electoral outcomes.

The conflict surrounding the SIR process in West Bengal began with the Election Commission's decision to conduct a nationwide exercise to update voter rolls. The process involves Booth Level Officers (BLOs) visiting homes of voters with updated lists, seeking confirmations and corrections. Political parties have criticized the move, claiming it's an attempt to manipulate electoral outcomes. The Election Commission, however, maintains that the SIR process is crucial for democracy.

• December 16, 2025: The Election Commission of India publishes the updated draft electoral rolls in West Bengal following the SIR process.

• January 15, 2026: The claims and objection window closes for voters who are unable to find their names in the draft electoral rolls.

The SIR process and the subsequent release of the draft electoral rolls in West Bengal have raised concerns about the potential for electoral manipulation. The decrease of 58,20,898 voters from the previous electorate has sparked allegations of politically motivated deletions. If left unchecked, this could lead to a loss of trust in the electoral process and potentially destabilize the democratic system in India.

The Election Commission of India has made the draft electoral rolls available online and offline, allowing voters to verify their names. Voters who are unable to access the electoral rolls can contact their respective BLOs or Block Development Offices for assistance. The claims and objection window is open until January 15, 2026, allowing voters to dispute any errors or omissions in the draft rolls.

The SIR process and the release of the draft electoral rolls in West Bengal mark a significant step in the electoral process leading up to the Assembly elections next year. However, the controversy surrounding the SIR process highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral system. This trend of electoral manipulation and controversy is not unique to India; similar issues have been reported in other countries, including the United States and Brazil. The pace of change in the electoral process is slow, with many countries still grappling with issues of voter suppression and electoral manipulation. This suggests that the electoral process is not evolving at the same pace as technology and societal changes, leaving it vulnerable to manipulation and controversy.

Assessment: Neutral.

1. ECI to release SIR draft roll in West Bengal: How to check if your name is in the voter list and what to do if you can't find it? Step-by-step guide — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/eci-to-release-sir-draft-roll-west-bengal-how-to-check-if-your-name-is-in-the-voter-list-and-what-to-do-if-you-cant-find-it-a-complete-guide/articleshow/125994218.cms

2. West Bengal SIR draft electoral roll: How to check your name in voter list — https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/sir-west-bengal-draft-electoral-rolls-how-to-check-your-name-in-voter-list/article70401943.ece

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.