Opposition Parties Sound Alarm Over Alleged Targeted Voter Deletions in EC's SIR Exercise
As the Election Commission (EC) conducts a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav have launched sharp criticisms, alleging that the process is unfairly targeting specific voter groups for deletion. This contentious issue has sparked legal challenges and heightened political tensions ahead of key state elections.
Legal Challenges and Allegations of Bias
Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken the matter to the Supreme Court, even appearing personally to argue her case. Similarly, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has announced plans to approach the top court, accusing the EC of acting at the behest of the BJP to disenfranchise Muslims, Dalits, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs)—core supporters of the SP.
At a press conference in Lucknow, Yadav questioned the timing and intent of the SIR, particularly in Assembly segments where the BJP faced losses in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "What was the margin? If we see the 2022 Assembly polls, will a shift of merely 5,000 votes have an impact on the result?" he remarked, highlighting concerns over potential electoral manipulation.
Echoing these sentiments, Mamata Banerjee criticized EC officials in Kolkata for not accepting state government documents like domicile certificates, suggesting a deliberate attempt to sway results in favor of the BJP. "They are thinking that by doing such things, they will win Bengal. They are playing the same game in Bengal that they had played in Bihar or Maharashtra," she asserted.
Focus on Low-Margin Seats in UP and Bengal
Sources within the SP and TMC reveal deep-seated worries about Assembly seats where previous victory margins were razor-thin. In these constituencies, a shift of just 3,000 to 5,000 votes could dramatically alter outcomes in upcoming polls. An analysis of recent election data underscores the volatility of these low-margin seats.
West Bengal's Electoral Landscape:
- In the 2021 Assembly elections, 35 seats were decided by margins under 5,000 votes, with the BJP winning 22 and the TMC 12.
- By the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the leading party changed in 12 of these segments, indicating significant voter shifts.
- The average winning margin in these seats jumped from 2,680 votes in 2021 to 13,367 in 2024, reflecting heightened political polarization.
- Notably, in Nandigram, Mamata Banerjee lost by a mere 1,956 votes to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, a stark example of how narrow margins can impact high-stakes races.
Uttar Pradesh's Political Dynamics:
- The 2022 Assembly polls saw 53 seats with winning margins below 5,000 votes, with the BJP securing 27 and the SP 21.
- In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the leading party flipped in 29 of these segments, with the BJP ceding 18 to the SP and others.
- The average margin surged from 2,144 votes in 2022 to 20,112 in 2024, highlighting the potential for large-scale electoral swings in closely contested areas.
Implications for Upcoming Elections
With West Bengal due for Assembly elections in March-April this year and Uttar Pradesh set to vote in early 2027, the allegations of targeted voter deletions add a layer of uncertainty to the political climate. Opposition parties argue that even minor alterations to voter rolls could tip the balance in these critical low-margin seats, potentially favoring the BJP.
The ongoing SIR exercise, therefore, is not just a bureaucratic process but a focal point of political strategy and legal battles. As both sides prepare for electoral contests, the debate over voter integrity and fairness continues to intensify, shaping the narrative for democracy in these key states.
