Digital Team
TMC SIR voter deletions have emerged as a major political flashpoint in West Bengal after the Election Commission’s draft Special Intensive Revision flagged over 11.5 lakh untraceable voters across 25 Assembly constituencies in and around Kolkata, many exceeding previous winning margins.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is grappling with mounting political pressure after the Election Commission’s draft Special Intensive Revision (SIR) data flagged over 11.5 lakh “untraceable” voters across 25 Assembly constituencies in and around Kolkata, many exceeding or closely matching the party’s winning margins in the 2021 elections. The deletions, scheduled for publication on December 16, could significantly reshape electoral equations in the state’s most competitive urban battlegrounds.
SIR Voter Deletions Put TMC Margins Under Scrutiny
According to the Election Commission’s status report, the flagged electors fall under the “uncollectible” category—voters whose enumeration forms could not be gathered due to reasons such as death, migration, duplication, or non-traceability.
Political analysts note that in several high-profile constituencies, the number of proposed deletions either outnumbers or runs uncomfortably close to the margin of victory secured by TMC candidates in the last Assembly election.
Kolkata and Suburbs at the Centre of the Storm
The impact is most pronounced in Kolkata and adjoining urban seats, traditionally considered TMC strongholds. Sources within the ruling party acknowledge heightened organisational activity following the EC disclosure, with party units instructed to intensify outreach ahead of the post-December 16 verification hearings.
Senior leaders and MLAs have reportedly been tasked with ensuring that eligible voters appear during physical verification conducted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
Key Constituencies Where Deletions Rival Winning Margins
Preliminary figures accessed by political observers indicate sharp contrasts between past margins and proposed deletions:
| Leader | Constituency | Margin win (Last election) | Deletion |
| Babul Supriyo | Ballygunge | 20,228 | 65,171 |
| Shashi Panja | Shyampukur | 22,520 | 72,900 |
| Chandrima Bhattacharya | Dum Dum Uttar | 28,499 | 33,912 |
| Bratya Basu | Dum Dum | 26,731 | 33,862 |
| Nayana Bandyopadhyay | Chowringhee | 45,344 | 74,553 |
| Firhad Hakim | Kolkata Port | 68,554 | 63,730 |
| Mamata Banerjee | Bhawanipore | 58,832 | 44,157 |
Source: Election Commission of India – Draft Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Data
In each of these seats, the draft SIR deletions exceed thresholds that could materially alter electoral outcomes if confirmed in the final rolls.
Election Commission’s Position on the SIR Exercise
The Election Commission has maintained that the SIR process is routine, legally mandated, and non-partisan, aimed at ensuring the integrity and accuracy of electoral rolls.
Officials stress that:
- The current list is only a draft
- Political parties and electors have the right to object
- Final deletions occur only after due verification and hearings
Political Responses: TMC Mobilises, BJP Sees Opening
While the TMC has not issued a formal statement on seat-wise deletions, party insiders confirm a city-wide organisational mobilisation, especially in constituencies with historically narrow margins.
The BJP, meanwhile, has welcomed the exercise, arguing that voter roll cleansing will ensure a level playing field in urban Bengal, where allegations of duplicate and ghost voters have frequently surfaced during elections.
Why the SIR Matters Ahead of the 2026 Bengal Elections
Kolkata and its surrounding districts form the electoral backbone of the ruling party. Any erosion in vote-bank certainty here could:
- Tighten contests across urban Bengal
- Amplify anti-incumbency narratives
- Increase the role of booth-level management and turnout mobilisation
With Assembly elections expected in early 2026, the final SIR list could emerge as a decisive pre-election variable.
High Stakes as Final Rolls Await Publication
As the Election Commission moves towards finalising the SIR voter list, the scale and concentration of deletions have injected new volatility into West Bengal’s political landscape. For the Trinamool Congress, the coming weeks will test its organisational depth and voter engagement machinery, while opposition parties closely track whether the final roll alters the balance in Kolkata’s most closely fought seats.
FAQs
Q1: What is the SIR voter list?
A: SIR, or Special Intensive Revision, is a comprehensive voter roll verification exercise conducted by the Election Commission.
Q2: Why are voters marked as “untraceable”?
A: Reasons include death, migration, duplicate registration, or inability to locate the voter during enumeration.
Q3: Are the deletions final?
A: No. The current list is a draft; objections and hearings are allowed before finalisation.
Q4: How many constituencies are affected in Kolkata region?
A: Around 25 Assembly constituencies in and around Kolkata.
Q5: Could this impact the 2026 Bengal elections?
A: Political analysts believe confirmed deletions could significantly tighten contests in urban seats.
Also Read:
https://dailydozes.com/mamata-banerjee-sir-controversy-west-bengal-update
References
https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/Hindustan-Times/SIR-DELETIONS-KOLKATA-MAY-BEAR-MAX-IMPACT
