The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has become a focal point of controversy, with reports of hundreds of suspected illegal Bangladeshi migrants fleeing the state back to their country of origin. These individuals, some allegedly possessing Indian identity documents, are reportedly acting out of fear that the voter roll update is a prelude to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and could lead to their deportation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has officially lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India, labelling the SIR as “unplanned, chaotic and dangerous.” In a letter to the poll body, she detailed significant procedural flaws, including inadequate training for personnel, a lack of clear guidelines on necessary documents, and the impracticality of reaching voters during their working hours.
Banerjee’s communication asserted that the exercise is “structurally unsound” owing to “critical gaps in training, lack of clarity on mandatory documentation and the near-impossibility of meeting voters in the midst of their livelihood schedules.” She described the current state of affairs as deeply concerning.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the undue pressure being exerted on Booth Level Officers (BLOs). These officials, many of whom have primary employment as teachers or frontline workers, are reportedly facing immense difficulties with the demands of the SIR, including extensive field surveys and the complexities of online data submission. Training deficits, server instability, and data validation errors are reportedly jeopardizing the accuracy of the updated electoral roll.
Banerjee further pointed out the inopportune timing of the SIR, which clashes with critical agricultural activities like the peak paddy harvest and the essential Rabi sowing period, making it challenging for agricultural workers to participate. The intense workload and pressure have reportedly led to severe human consequences, including the tragic suicide of a BLO in Jalpaiguri due to stress. The Chief Minister implores the Election Commission to intervene by halting the current process, providing adequate support, and undertaking a thorough review of the methodology and timelines to uphold democratic principles and the integrity of the voter list.