West Bengal SIR 2025: Special Intensive Revision of Voter List Sparks Political Debate

West Bengal SIR 2025: Special Intensive Revision of Voter List Sparks Political Debate

West Bengal is witnessing a major political debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls 2025, launched by the Election Commission to prepare for the 2026 Assembly Elections. The move is intended to clean up the voter list, but it has triggered disagreements between the state government and opposition parties.

What is SIR?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a large-scale voter list update exercise that focuses on:

• Deleting duplicate or ineligible entries.

• Adding eligible new voters.

• Correcting errors in details.

• Ensuring transparency and credibility of elections.

The last such revision in West Bengal was conducted in 2002.

Current Updates on SIR 2025

1. Training of Trainers
   The CEO’s office has begun training trainers and booth-level officers to carry out the voter list revision across the state.

2. Dispute Over ID Proofs

   • The West Bengal government requested approval for Swasthya Sathi and ration cards as valid identity proofs.

   • The Election Commission rejected the proposal, insisting on uniform rules across India.

3. Mamata Banerjee’s Stand
   Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has claimed that the SIR process could take 3–4 years, warning against hasty deletions that may disenfranchise genuine voters.

4. BJP’s Campaign – “No SIR, No Vote”
   The opposition BJP has launched a campaign demanding that elections must not be held without a full and fair SIR, stressing on voter list transparency.

5. Old Data and Errors
   District Election Officers have been told to match current rolls with 2002 SIR data, but mismatches in booth names and constituency details are creating confusion.

Challenges in SIR Implementation

• Accuracy issues due to old data mismatches.

• Document controversy over which ID proofs should be accepted.

• Timeframe concerns, as the process may extend beyond the 2026 Assembly Elections.

Key Takeaways

• The SIR is crucial for transparent elections in West Bengal.

• Disagreements continue between the Election Commission and state government.

• Mamata Banerjee advocates a careful long-term process.

• BJP’s “No SIR, No Vote” campaign intensifies the political battle.

Conclusion

The West Bengal SIR 2025 has become more than an electoral roll update — it is a political flashpoint ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections. While the Election Commission pushes for transparency, the state government urges caution, and the opposition demands urgency. The way forward will decide not only the accuracy of Bengal’s voter list but also the credibility of its democratic process.