West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission (EC) regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that it has led to "inhumane" conditions and a tragic loss of life. Banerjee claims that 77 people have died due to the pressures and irregularities surrounding the SIR process.
Banerjee has been a vocal critic of the SIR, alleging that the EC is using opaque digital processes, including artificial intelligence (AI) and informal platforms, to arbitrarily delete names from electoral rolls, thereby undermining democratic safeguards. She contends that eligible voters are being wrongly marked as deceased, and elderly or incapacitated individuals are being forced to attend hearings. According to Banerjee, routine life events are being "weaponized" to disenfranchise voters, with AI deciding whose surname has changed or who has moved.
"This is a fight for existence," Banerjee declared, stating her intention to seek legal recourse against the SIR. She announced she would move court against the SIR on January 6, 2026. She has also indicated that she may approach the Supreme Court as an ordinary citizen to plead the case of the people.
The Chief Minister has described the SIR process as unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a source of fear and harassment for voters. She has also criticized the "unplanned, relentless workload" imposed on field workers, particularly Booth Level Officers (BLOs), some of whom are anganwadi workers. Banerjee alleges that the immense pressure has led to stress, overload, and even suicide among these workers. She claimed one BLO in Jalpaiguri died by suicide due to the "unbearable pressure" of the SIR work. The ruling party also maintains that several workers have collapsed due to long working hours, travel requirements, and pressure to meet deadlines.
The Election Commission has rejected allegations of arbitrariness, maintaining that the SIR is a routine exercise aimed at ensuring clean and accurate electoral rolls. However, Banerjee argues that the process, which previously took three years, is now being compressed into a few months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhumane working conditions.
The opposition BJP has hit back sharply, accusing Banerjee of trying to derail a long-overdue cleanup of voter lists. They vow to stand firmly with the EC, turning the SIR into a flashpoint that now combines legal action, political brinkmanship, and disturbing accounts of human distress from the ground. Opposition parties have also dismissed the TMC's accusations, saying the government is attempting to deflect responsibility for poor administrative support to field-level workers. They allege that the TMC is attempting to influence BLOs to retain fake voters on the list.
