Voter Roll Revamp Sparks Political Waves in West Bengal

The Electoral Commission's draft rolls in West Bengal have struck off over 58 lakh names, significantly impacting voter profiles ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The removal list includes deceased, migrated, or duplicative entries, sparking political tension and changes in key constituencies across the state.

West Bengal's electorate is experiencing its most significant upheaval in decades as the Election Commission's draft rolls have eliminated over 5.8 million names. This move revises voter demographics across districts, border areas, and critical constituencies, introducing fresh political instability in the run-up to the 2026 assembly elections.

The draft electoral rolls reveal a decrease in the state's voters from approximately 76.6 million to over 70.8 million. Names were removed due to reasons such as death, permanent migration, duplication, and failure to submit electoral forms. The Commission noted that this process is provisional and open to appeal.

The turmoil is most pronounced in north Bengal, where border and urban sectors have seen significant rollbacks. Jalpaiguri district, for instance, faces a potential deletion of 38,395 names, with substantial numbers recorded as deceased or untraceable. The district's deletions are part of a larger pattern affecting constituencies statewide, reshaping the political landscape.

(With inputs from agencies.)