91 lakh voters deleted in Bengal, EC defends exercise as transparent and phased

The Election Commission of India (EC) has deleted nearly 91 lakh voters from electoral rolls in West Bengal following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) , while also adding new eligible voters ahead of the Assembly elections.

The revision, launched in November, initially saw 63.66 lakh deletions about 8.3% of the electorate bringing the voter base down from 7.66 crore to just over 7.04 crore as per February 28 data. Subsequent scrutiny, particularly of 60.06 lakh “under adjudication” cases , led to further changes. Of these, 27.16 lakh names were removed , while over 32.68 lakh were retained . The total deletions have now reached 90.83 lakh , with minor revisions still possible due to pending procedural formalities.

Alongside deletions, officials confirmed that new voters, including first-time electors , have been added, though the EC is yet to release the final updated voter base . The poll body maintained that the process was conducted in a “phased and transparent manner” , with district-wise data made public.

The electoral roll for the first phase of polling on April 23 , covering 152 of 294 seats , has been frozen , with no further additions allowed under election norms. The remaining 142 seats will vote on April 29, and their rolls will be frozen on April 9.

The scale of deletions has triggered political reactions . The ruling All India Trinamool Congress has raised concerns over the possible exclusion of genuine voters, while the Bharatiya Janata Party has supported the clean-up as necessary for fair polls. The Indian National Congress and Left parties have called for safeguards.

The matter is currently before the Supreme Court of India, which will hear the case on April 13 .