Now a wave of uncertainty is sweeping through West Bengal as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls nears completion. On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, conflicting reports regarding the scale of voter deletions have left citizens and political parties in a state of high anxiety. Therefore, while the Election Commission (EC) remains largely silent on the official tally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari have quoted vastly different figures. Currently, at the booth level, many genuine voters—disproportionately women and minorities—are discovering their names have vanished after the adjudication process.
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Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1
At a Glance:
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The Discrepancy: Estimates range from 8 lakh (TMC) to 14 lakh (BJP) deletions.
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EC Glitch: A technical error briefly showed almost all Bengal voters as “under adjudication.”
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Ground Reality: In Bhangar, multiple long-term voters with valid documents have been removed.
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Demographic Impact: Early reports suggest women and minority communities are heavily affected in specific booths.
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The Tribunal: Victims must now appeal to yet-to-be-established tribunals to reclaim their voting rights.
In This Article:
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The Numbers Game: Conflicting Estimates from Political Rivals
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Chaos at the Booth: Real Stories of Deleted Voters
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Technical Glitch or Systemic Failure? The EC Online Portal Issues
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Political Fallout: TMC and BJP Trade Accusations
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Numbers Game: Conflicting Estimates from Political Rivals
Now the lack of an official statement from the Election Commission has allowed political leaders to fill the void with their own data. Because the stakes are so high in the upcoming polls, these numbers have become a primary point of contention.
First, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that 8 lakh names were deleted out of 27 lakh adjudicated. Next, her rival Suvendu Adhikari alleged the number is closer to 14 lakh out of 32 lakh. Meanwhile, internal EC sources have hinted at a 13 lakh total, representing nearly 40% of all adjudicated cases. Thus, the public is left without a single source of truth, deepening the atmosphere of “organised offence” alleged by the Opposition.
Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1
Chaos at the Booth: Real Stories of Deleted Voters
Now the statistical confusion is translating into human heartbreak at polling stations like Bhangar. Despite having their names in previous lists for decades, many residents are finding themselves disenfranchised.
First, in Booth No. 49, six women were deleted, five of whom belong to the minority community. Next, in Booth No. 50, all five deleted individuals were from the minority community. Thus, voters like Rashida Bibi and Purnima Ghosh, who provided 2002 electoral records as proof, are now facing the prospect of “tribunal hearings” they cannot afford. Currently, even Booth Level Officers (BLOs) express confusion, noting they had cleared these papers months ago only to see them rejected during final adjudication.
Technical Glitch or Systemic Failure? The EC Online Portal Issues
Now the digital infrastructure meant to provide clarity has only added to the panic. On Tuesday night, the EC’s online portal incorrectly reflected that almost all voters in West Bengal were “under adjudication.”
First, the EC dismissed this as a “technical glitch” related to backend integration. Next, officials assured the public that the system has been restored and only the intended names remain under review. However, because this occurred just as supplementary lists were being released, many see it as a sign of a deeper systemic failure. Thus, for several hours, millions of voters feared they had been stripped of their democratic rights simultaneously.
Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1
Political Fallout: TMC and BJP Trade Accusations
Now the voter list revision has become the central theme of the election campaign. Both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP are using the “deletion” narrative to galvanize their respective bases.
First, the TMC has called the confusion an “organized offence” by the EC, targeting women and Muslims to erode the party’s lead. Next, the BJP has countered by blaming the state government for “chaos” and administrative mismanagement. Thus, while the parties trade barbs, the actual voters are left wondering if they will be “driven away” from their country. Currently, the wait for the establishment of appeal tribunals continues to leave thousands in a legal limbo.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many voters have been deleted in West Bengal so far? There is no official EC number yet. Estimates range from 8 lakh to 14 lakh across different political and administrative sources.
What should I do if my name has been deleted? Voters are being advised to check their status on the EC portal and prepare an appeal for the upcoming tribunals, though these have not yet been fully set up.
Who is being most affected by the deletions? Ground reports from constituencies like Bhangar suggest a high percentage of those deleted are women and members of the minority community.
What was the “technical glitch” on the EC website? On March 24, a server error caused the portal to show nearly all electors in West Bengal as being “under adjudication,” which the EC later corrected.
Can I still vote if my name is “under adjudication”? Only those whose names appear in the final Supplementary List as “included” will be eligible to cast their vote in the next election.
Also Read |Tamil Nadu Voter List Purge: 97 Lakh Names Deleted in SIR Phase 1
End….
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