West Bengal SIR Exercise Faces Fresh Scrutiny After 1.14 Lakh Voter Documents Remain Unuploaded
Kolkata, February 19 2026: Fresh controversy has emerged around West Bengal’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, after official data indicated that more than 1.14 lakh voter-related documents remained pending for upload even after the hearing deadline concluded on February 14. The development has triggered political objections and raised administrative concerns over potential disenfranchisement of verified voters.
The issue has drawn attention at both the state and central levels, with political leaders alleging procedural lapses and election authorities defending the integrity of the process while promising inquiry where required.
Large Number of Pending Uploads Across Key Districts
According to figures available with officials, a total of 1,14,772 documents linked to voter verification were yet to be uploaded after the hearing phase closed. The highest number of pending cases has been reported from North 24-Parganas district, followed by constituencies in Kolkata North, Howrah, Cooch Behar, and South Dinajpur.
More than 5,000 pending uploads were also recorded in Darjeeling, North Dinajpur, Hooghly, and South 24-Parganas. However, authorities indicated that the upload process has been completed in districts such as Malda, Jhargram, and Kalimpong.
Under the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, documents submitted during hearings must be uploaded to the official portal to confirm inclusion in the revised electoral roll. If records are not uploaded within the stipulated timeframe, the concerned individual’s name may not appear in the updated voter list.
Trinamool Delegation Seeks Extension
A five-member delegation from the All India Trinamool Congress met Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal on Wednesday, seeking reopening of the portal until February 21 to facilitate the upload of remaining documents.
The delegation included senior leaders Partha Bhowmick, Bratya Basu, Mahua Moitra, Chandrima Bhattacharjee, and Pratima Mondal. They argued that several Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) were unable to complete uploads before the portal was shut down on the afternoon of February 14.
Partha Bhowmick told reporters that verified voters who had already appeared for hearings and submitted documents should not be compelled to apply afresh through Form 6 due to administrative delays. “Why should genuine electors suffer because of technical or procedural issues?” he asked.
The delegation also raised objections over operational instructions allegedly circulated through informal messaging platforms by a Special Roll Observer, questioning their procedural validity. They cited previous judicial observations cautioning against issuing formal electoral instructions via unofficial channels.
Chief Minister Alleges Irregularities
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also voiced concerns regarding the revision process. Speaking earlier this week, she alleged that the abrupt blocking of portal access on February 14 prevented the inclusion of names of voters who had complied with hearing requirements.
Banerjee claimed that hearings were scheduled to continue until that date in line with directions of the Supreme Court of India, and suggested that the portal closure contradicted those timelines. She described the situation as a serious administrative lapse that could affect the democratic rights of citizens.
The state government has called for transparency in handling pending cases and sought clarification from electoral authorities.
Election Commission’s Position and Safeguards
Officials associated with the revision process maintain that the SIR exercise is being conducted according to established norms. They reiterated that if documents remain unuploaded, the elector’s name may not appear in the revised list, but remedies are available.
An election official stated that affected individuals may file complaints against the concerned ERO or AERO. If an inquiry establishes negligence, action may be taken. Additionally, electors whose names are excluded despite attending hearings can approach the District Electoral Officer within five days for reconsideration. If dissatisfied with that decision, they may appeal to the Chief Electoral Officer within another five days.
The Commission had earlier instructed officers to clearly record reasons for rejecting applications. However, allegations have surfaced in some quarters that this standard was not uniformly followed.
Data Irregularities Detected During Verification
Separately, election authorities have flagged certain anomalies in documents submitted during verification.
In one instance in East Midnapore district, discrepancies were detected in enumeration forms where parental details appeared inconsistent across multiple voter records. Officials said the issue was identified during a super-check and would have otherwise remained undetected in the final rolls.
In another case in South 24-Parganas district, a birth certificate submitted during verification listed a registration date that preceded the stated date of birth by over two months. Officials indicated that such inconsistencies raise questions about whether the discrepancy was clerical or intentional. They added that such documents should not have been accepted without scrutiny.
Election authorities stressed that these cases underscore the importance of thorough verification and digital record management during the revision process.
Broader Implications Ahead of Elections
The Special Intensive Revision exercise is a critical preparatory step before upcoming elections, aimed at ensuring that the electoral roll reflects accurate and updated voter information. Given West Bengal’s politically competitive landscape, any perception of irregularity can quickly escalate into broader controversy.
Political analysts note that while procedural lapses may occur in large-scale administrative exercises, transparency and timely corrective measures are essential to maintaining public trust. With more than one lakh documents still pending upload, the manner in which authorities resolve these cases will likely determine the credibility of the final voter list.
As the situation unfolds, both state officials and election authorities face pressure to clarify timelines, address pending cases, and reassure voters that their democratic rights will not be compromised. Ensuring procedural fairness and technical reliability will remain central to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process in West Bengal.
