Wed Dec 10 21:10:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

The article reports that the number of “uncollectable” voter enumeration forms in West Bengal, India, has reached 5.75 million as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls-2026 nears its end. Over 2.4 million of these forms are attributed to deceased voters. The Chief Electoral Officer has directed Special Roll Observers to meticulously examine entries before the draft electoral roll is published on December 16th. The Election Commission had previously appointed several officers to oversee the SIR, ensuring both eligible voters are included and ineligible voters are excluded.

News Article:

West Bengal Faces Electoral Roll Concerns as Millions of ‘Uncollectable’ Forms Surface

KOLKATA, INDIA – December 11, 2025 – Just ahead of the deadline for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls-2026, concerns are mounting in West Bengal as the number of “uncollectable” enumeration forms has surged to over 5.75 million. The figures, according to sources within the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, encompass forms attributed to deceased, duplicate, absent, and shifted voters.

Of particular concern is the identification of over 2.4 million deceased electors based on the uncollectable forms. Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal has instructed Special Roll Observers (SROs) to conduct a thorough examination of all entries before the draft electoral roll is published on December 16th. This includes verifying family relationships and scrutinizing age discrepancies between supposed relatives on the voter list.

The Election Commission had deployed additional oversight measures earlier in the week, appointing five senior IAS officers as SROs to bolster the ongoing SIR. The commission’s mandate is to ensure comprehensive and accurate voter registration, with the goal of including all eligible citizens while eliminating ineligible entries.

The release of the draft electoral roll on December 16th will be a critical step in the process, offering the public an opportunity to review and challenge any inaccuracies. The high number of “uncollectable” forms underscores the importance of a rigorous verification process to ensure the integrity of the upcoming elections.

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