The release has reignited discussions about a fresh SIR in neighbouring poll-bound Bihar and potential implications for Bengal. (Photo: Social Media)
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday said the Election Commission of India (ECI) will decide on conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal and other states at an “appropriate time.” He made the remarks while addressing questions about a potential SIR in Bengal during a press conference in New Delhi.
“We three (election) commissioners will decide at an appropriate time and take a decision on when to conduct SIR in West Bengal or other states,” Kumar said. “It will be announced at an appropriate time.”
The last SIR in West Bengal was conducted in 2002. In July, the ECI released data from that revision on the website of the state’s Chief Electoral Officer. The data covers 11 of the state’s 23 districts—Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, Malda, Nadia, Howrah, Hooghly, Midnapore, and Bankura. These districts account for 103 of 294 assembly constituencies in the state.
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The release has reignited discussions about a fresh SIR in neighbouring poll-bound Bihar and potential implications for Bengal.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal has opposed the SIR exercise in Bihar, alleging it could pave the way for the National Register of Citizens (NRC). On July 21, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee vowed to prevent SIR in Bengal. She instructed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure voters are not removed from the electoral roll and citizens are not harassed during any administrative exercises.
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“The ECI takes over only after the poll dates are announced. Until then, and even after that, the administration lies with the state government. You are employees of the state government. Do not harass any individual needlessly,” Banerjee said at an administrative meeting in Birbhum.
West Bengal is scheduled to go to the polls in 2026. Until then, any decision regarding a Special Intensive Revision will remain with the Election Commission. Observers note that SIR exercises can significantly impact voter rolls and electoral preparedness.
The timing of a SIR is important because of the political sensitivities of the state. The ECI has stressed that it will make decisions at the right moment in order to strike a balance between administrative readiness and the public interest. The objective will remain to provide a smooth electoral process without causing voters undue distress or anxiety.
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