The West Bengal draft voter list deletion check has become a critical issue ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) published the draft rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, revealing that over 58 lakh names have been deleted. This has sparked concern among citizens, political parties, and civil society groups about the accuracy and fairness of the electoral process.
2. West Bengal Draft Voter List Deletion: Why Names Were Deleted
According to the Commission, deletions were made due to:
- Death of voters recorded during enumeration.
- Migration to other constituencies or states.
- Non‑verification during door‑to‑door checks.
- Logical discrepancies in age, parentage, or household records.
3. How to Check if Your Name is Deleted
Citizens can verify their status by:
- Visiting the CEO West Bengal portal: https://ceowestbengal.gov.in.
- Selecting their Assembly constituency.
- Clicking on the booth number.
- Searching for their name in the draft list.
The list includes serial number, elector’s name, EPIC number, relation, father’s name, age, gender, and reason for deletion.
4. Hearings for Flagged Voters
- Hearings will begin within a week of publication.
- Voters whose names were deleted must present relevant documents (EPIC card, proof of residence, age certificates).
- Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will decide whether names can be restored.
5. Government External Links for Assistance
- Election Commission of India: https://eci.gov.in
- Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal: https://ceowestbengal.gov.in
- National Voter Service Portal (NVSP): https://www.nvsp.in
- Ministry of Law and Justice (Election Laws): https://lawmin.gov.in
6. Political Reactions
- Opposition parties have alleged targeted deletions in certain constituencies.
- The ruling Trinamool Congress has urged citizens to attend hearings and restore names.
- Civil society groups are demanding greater transparency in the process.
7. Historical Context of Voter List Revisions in Bengal
West Bengal has faced repeated challenges:
- 2014 Lok Sabha elections: Complaints of missing voters.
- 2021 Assembly polls: Allegations of irregularities in rolls.
- 2025 SIR: Largest deletion exercise yet, with 58 lakh names removed.
8. Governance Lessons
The SIR exercise highlights:
- Need for digitized voter rolls linked to Aadhaar.
- Transparency in deletions with clear reasons.
- Citizen awareness campaigns to prevent disenfranchisement.
- Accountability of electoral officers in hearings.
9. Future Outlook – Smart Electoral Rolls
India must move towards:
- AI‑based error detection in voter lists.
- Biometric verification to prevent duplication.
- Online correction portals accessible to rural citizens.
- Integration with census and property records for accuracy.
10. Conclusion
The West Bengal draft voter list deletion check under the SIR exercise is a landmark in electoral transparency. While the deletion of 58 lakh names has raised concerns, the hearing process offers citizens a chance to restore their voting rights. By combining technology, accountability, and citizen participation, India can strengthen its democracy and ensure that every eligible voter is counted.
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