West Bengal Voter Roll Drive 2025: West Bengal is currently undergoing a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its electoral rolls, a mammoth exercise aimed at ensuring accuracy and inclusivity ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal announced that out of 7.64 crore enumeration forms distributed across the state, more than 10.33 lakh forms have been identified as “uncollectable.”

This revelation highlights both the scale of the democratic process and the challenges of maintaining accurate voter records in a state with over 100 million residents.

2. What Makes a Form “Uncollectable”?

According to Agarwal, forms are marked uncollectable when:

• The voter is absentee (not available at the address).
• The entry is a duplicate.
• The voter is deceased.
• The voter has permanently shifted residence.

These categories reflect the dynamic nature of voter rolls, where mobility, mortality, and duplication complicate the process of maintaining accuracy.

3. West Bengal Voter Roll Drive 2025: Digitisation Progress

The CEO reported that 4.55 crore forms have been collected and digitised as of November 24, 2025. This represents significant progress, but also underscores the workload faced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are tasked with distributing, collecting, and digitising forms.

Digitisation is critical because it ensures:

• Transparency in voter records.
• Efficiency in roll preparation.
• Accessibility for citizens to check their status online.

4. BLOs: The “Heroes” of the SIR

Agarwal praised the role of BLOs, calling them the “real heroes” of the SIR process. More than 80,600 BLOs, along with 8,000 supervisors, 3,000 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, and 294 Electoral Registration Officers, have been engaged in the exercise.

Many BLOs are working beyond office hours, facing immense workload and stress, as they attempt to reach over 7 crore voters in just 20 days.

5. Infrastructure Support for BLOs

To address connectivity issues faced by BLOs during digitisation, the Election Commission has set up:

• Wi‑Fi hubs in areas with poor internet.
• Help desks in District Magistrate (DM), Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), and Block Development Officer (BDO) offices.

These measures aim to ensure seamless data entry and reduce delays.

6. Statistical Snapshot

• Forms distributed: 7.64 crore.
• Forms collected and digitised: 4.55 crore.
• Uncollectable forms: 10.33 lakh.
• Percentage uncollectable: 1.35%.

This data reflects both the success of the drive in reaching households and the inevitable attrition due to absenteeism, duplication, and migration.

7. Political and Social Implications

The revelation of uncollectable forms has political implications. In a state known for intense electoral competition, questions may arise about:

• Whether absentee voters are being unfairly excluded.
• How duplication is being handled.
• Whether deceased voters’ names are being exploited for bogus voting.

Ensuring transparency in handling these forms is essential to maintain public trust in the electoral process.

8. Historical Context of Electoral Roll Challenges

West Bengal has a history of electoral controversies, including allegations of rigging and violence. The current SIR aims to restore faith in the process by ensuring near‑universal coverage and digitisation. However, the identification of over 10 lakh uncollectable forms shows that systemic challenges persist.

9. Governance Lessons

The SIR highlights broader governance issues:

• The need for better planning and staffing.
• Importance of technology infrastructure for digitisation.
• Balancing speed with accuracy in electoral roll preparation.
• Supporting BLOs to prevent burnout and errors.

10. Conclusion: A Step Toward Electoral Transparency

The identification of 10.33 lakh uncollectable forms is not a failure but a reflection of the complex realities of voter roll management. By acknowledging absentee, duplicate, deceased, and shifted voters, the Election Commission is taking steps toward greater transparency and accuracy.

The success of the West Bengal Voter Roll Drive 2025 will directly impact the credibility of the 2026 Assembly elections, shaping the political future of the state.

🔗 Government External Links

For further reading and verification, here are official government sources relevant to this issue:

• Election Commission of India (ECI): https://eci.gov.in
• Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal: https://ceowestbengal.nic.in
• National Voters’ Service Portal (NVSP): https://www.nvsp.in
• Ministry of Law and Justice – Representation of People Act, 1950: https://legislative.gov.in
• Press Information Bureau (Government of India): https://pib.gov.in

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