Election Commission Flags Twenty Six Lakh Voters In Bengal As Records Fail To Match

New Delhi:  West Bengal is heading towards state elections next year, and before that a massive claim by the Election Commission has caused shock across political circles. As per officials, around twenty six lakh voters listed in the current electoral rolls do not match older records between the years two thousand two and two thousand six.

This analysis came during the ongoing SIR or Special Intensive Revision process. The Commission has begun rechecking voter details to ensure that no errors remain in the updated list. Political parties have reacted strongly, calling it one of the most serious findings in recent years.

Are Non Documented People Included Too

Reports suggest that there are people living in the state without valid legal documents who allegedly managed to get voter ID cards. Some individuals openly admitted they came from Bangladesh and never completed full identity paperwork. Since the campaign started many people were reportedly seen crossing borders. This situation has created questions whether voter cards were issued without proper background verification. The case is now turning into a major administrative and political debate.

How Did This Discrepancy Come Forward

Officials said that over six crore enumeration forms have been digitised so far. These new forms are being compared with older SIR data prepared between two thousand two and two thousand six. During preliminary matching, twenty six lakh voter entries showed no link with earlier records. Some voters or their families had lived earlier in other states and later settled in West Bengal, causing data mismatch. Authorities expect this number may further increase as the digital matching continues.

Will These Names Be Removed Soon

The Election Commission clarified that these names will not be removed immediately from the list. If a voter’s record successfully matches older documents, no further action will be required. However, if the data fails to match, then a document based verification will be conducted. Officials say the objective is to make the voter list more reliable without unfairly excluding any eligible citizen. This step aims to strengthen trust in future elections.

Why Is The Chief Minister Opposing It

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has opposed this process, alleging it may cause problems to genuine local voters. She argued that the campaign might be politically influenced. Opposition parties, however, support the revision and say it is necessary to maintain transparency. The sharp contrast between reactions has led to heated atmosphere in the state.

Could This Influence Elections Ahead

Experts have warned that if data inaccuracy at such a large scale is confirmed, election results may get significantly affected. This is not just a technical matter but has potential political consequences. If document verification leads to removal of mismatched voters, the vote balance might change in many constituencies. Parties are actively monitoring the situation.

What Steps Will Follow Next Now

According to the Election Commission the revision will continue with full seriousness to make electoral rolls accurate. After verification, a final list will be published. Officials have assured that transparency will be maintained and no eligible voter will be removed unfairly. All eyes are now on the final outcome whether it influences upcoming elections or brings major changes.