The Election Commission of India (EC) has filed a strong affidavit before the Supreme Court, criticising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for allegedly spreading misinformation and attempting to undermine the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state. According to the affidavit, Banerjee has made inflammatory statements, held press conferences, and circulated misleading information about the revision of electoral rolls, creating fear and confusion among voters. The EC stated that such actions are damaging the credibility of the SIR exercise, which is aimed at ensuring accurate voter lists.

The affidavit highlights that unlike other states, West Bengal is witnessing a significantly higher level of threats and obstructions during the SIR process. Election officials in the state have reportedly faced incidents of intimidation and violence while carrying out their duties, a situation exacerbated by misinformation being spread to the public. The poll body expressed concern that these developments are creating an atmosphere of hostility, making it difficult to conduct the voter list revision smoothly.

Mamata Banerjee has consistently opposed the SIR process, raising concerns that it may lead to the deletion of genuine voters from electoral rolls. In her latest correspondence with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, she alleged that the SIR, instead of correcting records, was being misused to remove names from the voter list. This letter marked her third communication to the CEC since the start of the revision exercise. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has also petitioned the Supreme Court, citing transparency and irregularity concerns during the SIR.

Given the challenges highlighted in its affidavit, the Election Commission is likely to extend the finalisation deadline of the voter lists in West Bengal. Originally, the EC planned to release the final electoral rolls by February 14, 2026, following an earlier extension. However, an official cited by PTI noted that implementing all Supreme Court instructions within the current timeline is challenging, and additional time may be required to complete the revision accurately. Earlier, the EC had set February 7 as the last date for hearings and February 14 for publishing the final rolls.

The situation has sparked a significant political debate, with the EC emphasising the need to maintain transparency, ensure the safety of its officials, and conduct the SIR process without interference. The Commission’s affidavit underlines that threats to officials and attempts to misinform voters are unique to West Bengal compared to other states, suggesting heightened political tensions in the state during the voter list revision.

In conclusion, the EC affidavit in the Supreme Court underscores serious concerns about the SIR process in West Bengal, citing threats to officers, obstructions, and attempts to mislead the public by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The voter list finalisation deadline is likely to be extended as authorities work to implement Supreme Court instructions while safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the electoral roll revision exercise.

Join our Telegram Channel for Latest News and Regular Updates.

Start your Mutual Fund Journey  by Opening Free Account in Asset Plus.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.