EC relaxes order 'summoning' Bengal voters

The Hindu:- Published on 29 December 2025

Why in News?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has eased its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal by exempting a large section of “unmapped” voters from mandatory personal hearings. Voters whose names, or whose ancestors’ names, appear in the 2002 electoral rolls will no longer be issued summons, providing relief to nearly 32 lakh voters.

The issue gained national attention after reports that elderly, disabled and infirm voters were being summoned to distant verification centres during the SIR process. Political opposition, particularly the Trinamool Congress (TMC), termed the exercise “voter cleaning” and alleged targeted exclusion ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. The EC’s relaxation is seen as an attempt to address these concerns and reduce political tension.

What Is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

SIR is a periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission to:

• Update electoral rolls
• Remove duplicate or ineligible entries
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of voter lists

In West Bengal, the exercise identified around 32 lakh “unmapped” voters, triggering large-scale verification.

Key Changes Announced by the Election Commission

According to fresh instructions issued on December 27:

• No summons for voters listed in the 2002 electoral rolls
• System-generated notices withdrawn
• Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to verify details on the ground and upload photographs
• Summons only if discrepancies arise or upon specific complaints
• Electoral Registration Officers (EROs/AEROs) to take final decisions

Political Response and Criticism

The Trinamool Congress strongly criticised the earlier procedure, arguing that:

• Vulnerable groups were being harassed
• Home-based verification should have been adopted
• BLOs were under extreme pressure, highlighted by a reported death of a BLO in Bankura district

Opposition leaders questioned why voter-friendly measures used during elections were not applied during SIR.

Impact on the Matua Community

The Matua community, concentrated in North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts, emerged as one of the most affected groups. Studies indicate:

• High deletion rates of voter names
• Many voters marked “untraceable” or “shifted”

Given the community’s past anxieties linked to NRC-like processes, the EC’s latest order is expected to provide significant relief.

Security Concerns and Administrative Pressure

Amid heightened political sensitivity, the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal has been granted Y+ security cover. This move reflects the intense pressure surrounding the SIR process and its broader political implications.

Significance for Democracy and Elections

• Highlights the need to balance electoral integrity with voter rights and dignity
• Reinforces the importance of due process in electoral roll revisions
• Likely to influence the political narrative ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections

The EC now faces the challenge of completing voter list revisions transparently while maintaining public trust in the electoral system.

Way Forward

To ensure both electoral integrity and public confidence, the following steps are crucial:

• Voter-Centric Verification: Adopt home-based or doorstep verification for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and the seriously ill, similar to home voting provisions.
• Clear Communication: Launch awareness campaigns in local languages explaining SIR objectives, procedures, and voter rights to prevent fear and misinformation.
• Community-Sensitive Approach: Engage with community leaders, especially in Matua-dominated and minority areas, to address concerns and build trust.
• Technology with Human Oversight: Use digital tools for verification, but ensure human review to avoid wrongful deletions due to technical errors.
• Accountability of Officials: Monitor workload and welfare of Booth Level Officers to prevent undue pressure and ensure ethical implementation.