In a significant move to clean up the voter lists, the Election Commission of India has provisionally removed the names of more than 58 lakh electors from the draft electoral rolls of West Bengal. This massive exercise follows the completion of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive conducted across the state.
Massive Clean-Up After Special Revision
The Election Commission published the updated draft electoral rolls for West Bengal on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. This publication came after the conclusion of a state-wide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process that was carried out from November 4 to December 11, 2025. The primary outcome of this rigorous revision has been the provisional deletion of a staggering 58,20,898 voter names from the existing lists.
Details of the Draft Publication
The release of the draft rolls marks a crucial phase in the EC's effort to ensure accurate and fraud-free voter registration. The provisional deletion of over 58 lakh entries is understood to target multiple categories of ineligible entries, which typically include:
- Duplicate entries
- Names of deceased individuals
- Voters who have permanently shifted out of their constituencies
- Any other discrepancies identified during the intensive revision process
The publication of the draft rolls now opens a window for claims and objections. Citizens whose names have been deleted, or those who wish to make corrections or new enrollments, can approach the electoral authorities within a stipulated period.
Implications and Next Steps
This large-scale deletion is a standard administrative procedure aimed at purifying the electoral database, but it carries significant political weight in a key state like West Bengal. Political parties are expected to scrutinize the draft lists meticulously. The EC's action underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring that the rolls reflect only genuine, eligible voters.
The final electoral roll, which will be published after addressing all claims and objections, will form the basis for future elections in the state. This clean-up drive is a critical step in preventing electoral malpractices and upholding the democratic principle of one person, one vote.
