Kolkata, 3 December (H.S.):

The number of voters identified for possible deletion during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has crossed 4.6 million, according to the latest digitalisation data compiled by the Election Commission.

As per figures available till Tuesday evening, 46.30 lakh names have been marked under various removal categories. The tally stood at 43.50 lakh on Monday evening, indicating an addition of 2.70 lakh cases within 24 hours as more filled forms were digitised.

According to officials in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the latest data includes 22.28 lakh deceased voters, whose names are now flagged for deletion. Another 6.40 lakh voters have been categorised as “untraceable” after booth-level officers (BLOs) failed to deliver verification forms despite repeated attempts.

Additionally, 16.22 lakh voters have been marked as “shifted” due to permanent relocation caused by marriage, employment, or other reasons. The revision exercise has also identified 1.05 lakh duplicate entries—names registered at more than one location.

West Bengal currently has 7,66,37,529 registered voters as per the roll published on October 27.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission reported a sharp overnight change in the number of polling stations with no deceased, duplicate, or shifted voters. On Monday, the figure stood at 2,208 booths. However, after district magistrates were directed to re-examine and submit fresh reports, the number plummeted to 480 booths by Tuesday evening.

Terming the development “unusual,” the Commission has sought detailed explanations from district election officers and is closely monitoring the ongoing revision process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh