Kolkata, 8 August (H.S.) – The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has informed the Election Commission of India (ECI) that all preparations are complete to launch the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state. The update, based on reports from District Election Officers across Bengal, marks the first such exercise in the state since 2002.

According to officials, the SIR process was recently completed in Bihar ahead of its assembly elections later this year. In West Bengal, where assembly polls are due next year, the exercise could commence at any time.

The move has already triggered sharp political exchanges. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged that the revision is part of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) plan to implement the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state, accusing the Election Commission of working under BJP’s influence. The BJP, however, claims the TMC and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee oppose the process because it could lead to the removal of alleged Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators from the voter rolls.

Meanwhile, tensions between the ECI and the state government have escalated. This week, the Commission directed Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to suspend four election officials and register FIRs against them for alleged irregularities in adding names to the electoral rolls in two assembly constituencies. The action is seen as a stern warning to all officials involved in the electoral process.

The state government is now exploring legal options to challenge the Commission’s directive to the Chief Secretary.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh