EC Hits Back at TMC: Point-By-Point Rebuttal on Bengal’s SIR Controversy

The ongoing Systematic Investigation and Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in West Bengal has ignited one of the most intense face-offs between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). On Friday, the Commission issued a direct and uncompromising rebuttal to the state’s ruling party, dismissing its allegations as politically charged and factually weak.

TMC Delegation Meets CEC: Claims of Chaos and Deaths

A 10-member TMC parliamentary delegation visited the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi, led by senior MPs including Derek O’Brien, Kalyan Banerjee, and Mahua Moitra. After a nearly two-hour meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the party alleged that the SIR program was being executed in “haste, confusion, and under pressure.”

According to the TMC, at least 40 people have died due to stress related to SIR activities — a claim that instantly triggered national outrage. Party leaders went as far as accusing the Commission of having “blood on its hands.” However, when asked for evidence, the delegation reportedly failed to produce any medical or investigative reports linking these deaths to SIR duties.

EC Responds: “Process Is Uniform Across India”

The Commission categorically rejected the allegation that SIR is uniquely targeted at West Bengal or Bengali-speaking citizens. Officials clarified that the process is being carried out nationwide, including in Bihar, Rajasthan, and several border states.

By positioning West Bengal as the epicentre of political chaos, the EC accused the TMC of misleading the public and attempting to portray SIR as an attack on Bengali identity. The Commission stressed that the uproar is not based on procedural flaws, but on politically motivated narratives.

Directive to State Police: Protect BLOs From Political Pressure

Perhaps the most consequential outcome of the meeting was the EC’s immediate administrative action. In a formal communication to the West Bengal DGP and the Kolkata Police Commissioner, the Commission instructed law enforcement authorities to protect Booth Level Officers from intimidation, coercion, and threats by political workers.

The EC warned that any failure to safeguard officials could result in suspensions and disciplinary measures, noting that similar actions have already been taken in previous cases. The strong language signaled that the Commission will not tolerate interference in the SIR process.

Polling Station Overhaul: A New Flashpoint

The Commission also ordered a review of polling station locations across West Bengal, including:

• Newly developed urban areas
• Gated communities
• High-rise apartments
• Slum clusters

This exercise mirrors ECI’s national directives, implemented to improve polling access and infrastructure. However, in Bengal’s politically charged environment, even logistical changes are expected to be weaponized. Analysts predict that this will become the next battleground between the EC and the TMC, as parties often anticipate voter patterns based on polling station geography.

The Reliability Debate: TMC Challenges Past Elections

TMC leaders claimed that if millions of “fake” or “duplicate” voters were removed through SIR, then elections conducted since 2023 — including the 2024 Lok Sabha polls — would be unreliable. The insinuation, critics argue, is deliberately provocative:

either past outcomes are invalid or the Commission is retroactively revising voter legitimacy.

The EC dismissed this line of argument, noting that SIR is a procedural audit, not a political indictment. Unless backed by credible scrutiny, claims of electoral illegitimacy cannot be entertained.

Political Consequences: A Battle of Perception

The episode reveals a larger anxiety within the TMC. A party once overtly confident in its electoral dominance is now broadcasting panic, blame, and conspiracy. The increasingly aggressive rhetoric appears aimed at reducing the credibility of SIR before its findings are made public.

For the EC, the confrontation is institutional. It aims to preserve procedural integrity while signaling that political theatrics will not dictate reform. With SIR ongoing and fresh directives issued, West Bengal is poised for deeper political turbulence — and the spotlight will remain firmly on Mamata Banerjee’s government versus the Election Commission.