The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant step in its voter list purification drive in West Bengal, publishing a draft electoral roll that sees a massive reduction in voter count. The draft, released on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, reveals that more than 5.8 million (58 lakh) names have been removed from the provisional list compiled during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Where and How to Check the Draft Electoral Roll
Voters across West Bengal are urged to immediately verify their enrollment status. The Election Commission has made the draft rolls available on multiple digital platforms for easy access. Citizens can check their details by visiting the official Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal website at ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/Electors. Alternatively, they can use the national voter portal at voters.eci.gov.in or download the ECINET mobile application.
In a move towards greater transparency, the ECI has also separately published a list of individuals whose names were on the 2025 roll but have been excluded from the 2026 draft. This list, which includes the specific reason for each deletion, is hosted at ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/asd_sir.
Reasons Behind the Massive Deletion of Voter Names
The staggering figure of 5.8 million deletions is not arbitrary but stems from a rigorous enumeration process. According to the Election Commission, the names were dropped after field-level feedback confirmed these voters fall into specific categories. The primary reasons for removal include individuals who are deceased, permanently absent from the locality, have shifted to another constituency, or were listed multiple times as duplicate entries.
It is crucial for voters to understand that this is a draft roll, not the final list. The publication of this draft marks the conclusion of the enumeration phase, which began on November 4, 2025. The process now enters a critical correction window.
What to Do If Your Name is Missing: The Claims and Objections Window
Voters who find their names omitted from the draft need not panic, as the ECI has provided a clear mechanism for correction. The commission has opened a claims and objections window from December 16, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
To get your name included, you must submit Form 6 along with Annexure-IV. This can be done through several channels:
- Submit the physical form to your designated Booth Level Officer (BLO).
- Apply online via the voters.eci.gov.in portal.
- Use the E-NET or ECINET mobile applications.
Following the submission period, hearings and verification of these claims will be conducted throughout January and February 2026. Only after this process will the final electoral roll be published.
Background on the SIR Process and Form Handling
The Special Intensive Revision is a comprehensive drive to clean up the voter database. During the initial phase, enumeration forms were printed for all registered voters and delivered door-to-door by BLOs. The ECI clarified that voters who returned signed forms—even partially filled—have been retained in the draft roll, though their details will undergo further scrutiny.
In coordination with political party-appointed Booth Level Agents (BLAs), BLOs have also prepared lists of voters whose forms could not be delivered or received, contributing to the revision data. The entire SIR exercise is scheduled to conclude in early 2026, setting the stage for future elections in the state with a more accurate and updated voter list.
