West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has raised significant concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing the process as “unplanned, chaotic, and dangerous.” In a letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, she underscored the alarming consequences of the SIR’s implementation, noting that several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have died since the process began. Banerjee criticized the compressed three-month timeline, which typically spans three years, labeling it “inhuman” and “dangerously coercive.”
Banerjee stated that she felt compelled to write after the situation deteriorated further despite her previous warnings about the SIR. She emphasized the mounting stress experienced by BLOs, citing tragic incidents such as the suicide of Shanti Muni Oraon, a tribal woman responsible for distributing enumeration forms in Jalpaiguri, and the death of Namita Hansda from East Burdwan due to stress-related health issues.
In her correspondence, Banerjee condemned the execution of the SIR, arguing that it overwhelmed officials and citizens alike. She asserted that the lack of basic preparedness, planning, and clear communication had “crippled” the process from its outset. “The unrealistic workload, impossible timelines, and inadequate support have collectively placed the entire process, and its credibility, at severe risk,” she stated, emphasizing the potential threat to electoral democracy.
Banerjee warned that if the current pace of the SIR continued, accurate voter data might not be submitted by the December 4 deadline. Furthermore, she raised concerns that BLOs, under extreme pressure and fear of punitive measures, could be compelled to file inaccurate or incomplete entries, risking the disenfranchisement of valid voters.
The Chief Minister accused the Election Commission of responding with intimidation instead of support, alleging that the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office in West Bengal had begun issuing unwarranted show-cause notices to already strained BLOs. She criticized the Election Commission for not extending deadlines or addressing the systemic issues, opting instead to threaten disciplinary action.
Banerjee pointed out that the timing of the revision was particularly problematic, coinciding with the crucial paddy harvest season in West Bengal, when many farmers and laborers are engaged in critical agricultural work. She highlighted the human toll of the SIR process, referencing multiple deaths linked to its demands.
In her letter, she urged the Election Commission to intervene decisively by halting the ongoing revision, ending coercive practices, and reevaluating both methodology and deadlines. Continuing on the current trajectory, she warned, could have “irreversible consequences” for officials, citizens, and the integrity of the electoral process.
The SIR initiative has faced extensive criticism since its launch in Bihar, with its reach expanding to 12 states and Union Territories. The process aims to verify voter lists comprehensively by removing duplicates and ineligible names while adding eligible voters. However, opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of haste and opacity, claiming an intent to disenfranchise specific demographic groups, particularly minorities. These criticisms have intensified as the process extends to states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, where elections are anticipated in 2026.
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