The Election Commission of India has unveiled the preliminary draft of the electoral roll for West Bengal, marking a crucial step ahead of future polls. The list, published after the first phase of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), currently features 7,08,16,621 voters. In a parallel exercise, a separate list identifying 58.2 lakh individuals as ASD (Absent, Shifted, or Dead/Duplicate) voters has also been compiled.
Discrepancies and the Upcoming Hearing Process
Scrutiny of the draft roll has revealed significant data inconsistencies. The Commission has flagged nearly 1.7 crore voters for having "logical discrepancies" in their enumeration forms. These issues include mismatches in recorded gender, variations in a father's name, or unexplained age differences with a parent or grandparent. Many from this group may be summoned for clarification.
More critically, the EC has identified approximately 32 lakh "unmapped" voters. These are individuals who failed to provide any familial or locational linkage in their forms, making verification difficult. The poll panel has stated that all these unmapped voters will be mandatorily called for a hearing before an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO).
"Nothing to Worry About": Clarification on Hearings
Addressing potential public concern, West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agarwal, sought to allay fears about the hearing process. He emphasized that the proceeding is not a court hearing but a quasi-judicial exercise designed solely to determine a person's eligibility to vote.
"If he/she does not meet the eligibility criteria, the name will not be included in the final electoral list to be published on February 14, 2026," Agarwal explained. He assured that the Commission's only mandate is to prepare an error-free list and that neither the ERO nor the CEO can unilaterally delete a name. Any deletion after the hearing will be accompanied by a clearly stated reason in the order.
How to Get Enrolled or Correct Mistakes
The Election Commission has outlined a clear procedure for those missing from the draft or incorrectly listed. Officials stated that individuals whose names are absent can submit Form 6 (the application for new voter registration) online or offline to their Booth Level Officer (BLO), along with Annexure-4, a declaration form.
Similarly, voters wrongly categorized as ASD can also re-enroll using Form 6. Furthermore, young citizens who will turn 18 years of age as of January 1, 2026, are eligible to apply through the same form. In all these cases, inclusion in the final voters' list will be subject to a satisfactory hearing.
The state's electoral strength during the last 2021 assembly elections was approximately 7.6 crore. The current draft roll, along with the rigorous verification process, aims to refine this database for the upcoming electoral cycle. The hearing notices are expected to be generated from Wednesday, with the process likely commencing after a seven-day period.
