Cooch Behar Voter List Controversy 2025: On November 23, 2025, the quiet village of Khapaidanga in Cooch Behar North Assembly constituency erupted in protest after 717 names vanished from the voter list at booth number 3/303. Only 140 names remained, leaving hundreds of long‑time voters disenfranchised. Angered by the disappearance, villagers staged a seven‑hour blockade at Kaljani Bazar, burning tyres and demanding immediate action.

The incident has sparked outrage across West Bengal, raising questions about the credibility of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the accountability of the Election Commission.

2. The Protest: Voices of Anger

Residents expressed their frustration in powerful terms:

• Khagen Roy, local resident: “We have been voting for 20 years. Now they say our names do not figure in the list. We cannot accept this.”
• Protesters blocked roads from 8 AM to 3 PM, disrupting traffic and drawing attention to their plight.
• Tyres were burnt as a symbol of anger, while slogans demanded restoration of names.

The protest ended only after officials assured villagers that their concerns would be addressed.

3. Cooch Behar Voter List Controversy 2025: Administrative Response

Officials from the block administration, including Block Development Officer Amit Tamang, reached the site and promised quick resolution. Tamang stated: “The matter has been brought to the notice of the Election Commission. Arrangements will be made to resolve it quickly.”

Despite assurances, villagers remain skeptical, citing repeated complaints to the district magistrate and SDO office that yielded no action.

4. The Scale of the Problem

The disappearance of 717 names is not an isolated incident. Across Bengal, the SIR has triggered:

• Reports of duplicate entries.
• Complaints of missing voters.
• Allegations of political manipulation.

With Assembly elections approaching in 2026, such lapses could have serious consequences for electoral credibility.

5. Historical Context: Cooch Behar’s Political Sensitivity

Cooch Behar has long been a politically sensitive district:

• In the 2021 Assembly elections, BJP dominated, winning seven of nine seats.
• TMC regained ground in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reclaiming the Cooch Behar seat.
• The district has witnessed repeated clashes between rival parties, making voter roll integrity crucial.

The current controversy risks reigniting tensions in this volatile region.

6. Governance Failures

The incident highlights systemic governance failures:

• Delayed verification: House‑to‑house enumeration under SIR has been slow.
• Poor communication: Villagers claim repeated complaints were ignored.
• Administrative overload: BLOs (Booth Level Officers) face unrealistic workloads, leading to errors.
• Trust deficit: Citizens feel abandoned by institutions meant to protect their rights.

7. Human Cost: Identity and Dignity

For villagers, the disappearance of names is not just administrative error — it is a denial of identity and dignity. Voting is a fundamental right, and exclusion from rolls effectively erases their existence in the democratic process.

One protester summed it up: “Our very existence is in question.”

8. Political Reactions

The controversy has political implications:

• TMC leaders accuse the Election Commission of negligence.
• BJP leaders argue that the SIR is necessary to remove fake voters.
• Opposition parties warn that disenfranchisement could lead to unrest.

The incident has thus become a political flashpoint, with both sides seeking to frame the narrative.

9. Broader Electoral Challenges in Bengal

The Cooch Behar case reflects wider challenges:

• BLO stress: Reports of BLO suicides linked to workload.
• Uncollectable forms: Over 10 lakh forms marked uncollectable statewide.
• Factional disputes: Political parties clashing over SIR implementation.
• Public protests: BLOs and villagers alike taking to the streets.

Together, these issues raise doubts about the fairness of the 2026 Assembly elections.

10. Recommendations for Reform

Experts suggest:

• Transparent verification: Ensure all complaints are addressed promptly.
• Technology upgrades: Improve the BLO app to reduce errors.
• Support for BLOs: Provide training, resources, and compensation.
• Community engagement: Involve local leaders in roll verification.
• Independent monitoring: Deploy neutral observers to oversee SIR.

11. Conclusion: Democracy at the Crossroads

The Cooch Behar Voter List Controversy 2025 is more than a local dispute — it is a test of India’s democratic institutions. For villagers, the disappearance of names is a denial of their existence. For the Election Commission, it is a challenge to restore credibility. For political parties, it is a battleground for narratives.

Unless systemic reforms are undertaken, the credibility of the 2026 Assembly elections may be compromised. Democracy cannot thrive if citizens feel invisible in the very rolls that define their rights.

🔗 Government External Links

For further reading and official updates, here are relevant government sources:

• Election Commission of India (ECI – Electoral Roll Management): 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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