The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant step in cleansing West Bengal's voter list, publishing a draft electoral roll that has removed more than 5.8 million names. The draft, released on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, is part of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise aimed at creating an accurate and updated voter database for the state.
Where and How to Check the Draft Roll
Voters across West Bengal are urged to immediately verify their enrollment status. The Election Commission has made the draft electoral rolls available on multiple digital platforms for easy access. You can check your details by visiting the official Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal website at ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/Electors. Alternatively, the national voter portal at voters.eci.gov.in and the ECINET mobile application also host the draft list.
In a move for greater transparency, the ECI has separately published a list of voters whose names were on the 2025 roll but have been deleted in the 2026 draft. This list, which includes the specific reasons for each deletion, is accessible at ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/asd_sir.
Reasons Behind the Massive Deletion of 5.8 Million Names
The staggering figure of over 5.8 million deletions is not a random purge but the result of a meticulous enumeration process. According to the Election Commission, these entries were dropped after field-level feedback identified individuals who fall into specific categories. The primary reasons for removal include voters who are deceased, those who are permanently absent from the address, individuals who have shifted to another location, and cases of duplicate entries where the same person was listed multiple times.
It is crucial for citizens to understand that this draft roll is not final. The publication of the draft marks the end of the enumeration phase that began on November 4, 2025. It now opens the door for a critical period where voters can correct errors or omissions.
What to Do If Your Name is Missing: The Claims and Objections Window
If a voter finds their name missing from the draft roll, the Election Commission has a clear rectification process. There is no need for panic, but timely action is essential. Affected individuals must fill and submit Form 6, along with the required Annexure-IV declaration form and supporting documents.
This submission can be made through several channels:
- In physical form to your assigned Booth Level Officer (BLO).
- Online via the voters.eci.gov.in portal.
- Through the E-NET or ECINET mobile applications.
The window for filing claims and objections is open from December 16, 2025, to January 15, 2026. This will be followed by a period of hearings and verification by electoral authorities, stretching through February 2026. Only after this process concludes will the final electoral roll be published.
Behind the Scenes: The SIR Process and Form Handling
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal has been a large-scale operation involving Booth Level Officers (BLOs) who delivered enumeration forms door-to-door to all registered voters. The Commission has clarified that voters who returned signed forms—even partially filled—have been retained in the draft roll, though their details will undergo further verification.
In coordination with political party Booth Level Agents (BLAs), BLOs have also prepared lists of voters whose forms could not be delivered or received, which contributed to the revision data. The entire SIR process, from the initial announcement on October 27, 2025, to the final publication expected after February 2026, is designed to ensure the integrity of the electoral franchise in West Bengal.
