West Bengal releases draft voters list, citizens check future voices
Kolkata: The draft voters’ list for West Bengal, prepared under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process for 2026, was published on Wednesday, marking a significant step in updating and strengthening the state’s electoral rolls. For millions of citizens, the publication of the draft list is an important moment, offering a chance to verify their details and ensure their right to vote is protected ahead of future elections.
According to officials, a total of 7 crore 66 lakh 37 thousand 529 voters across West Bengal were covered under the first phase of the SIR exercise. This large-scale effort aimed to clean, verify, and update voter data across the state, reflecting changes such as migration, deaths, and duplication. Out of this total, Enumeration Forms for 7 crore 8 lakh 16 thousand 616 voters have already been digitised, showing steady progress in modernising the electoral database.
Officials said that 92.4 percent of the enumeration forms have been digitised so far, a figure that highlights the scale and intensity of the exercise carried out by election staff and Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Many of these workers went door to door, often in challenging conditions, to collect accurate information and ensure that eligible voters were properly recorded.
As part of the revision process, more than 58 lakh names have been deleted from the rolls. These deletions were made after identifying voters who were absent, had shifted residence, were deceased, or were found to be duplicate entries. While such removals are a routine part of voter list revisions, they often attract public attention, as each deletion represents a name that once appeared on the rolls.
In addition, 31 lakh 38 thousand 374 voters have not been mapped with the voter list of 2002, raising questions that now require further verification. Election authorities said these voters will be called for hearings to establish their eligibility and details. The hearing process has started from today and will continue until 7 February 2026. Officials stressed that this step is meant to give voters a fair opportunity to present documents and clarify discrepancies, rather than to exclude anyone arbitrarily.
For citizens whose names do not appear in the draft voters’ list, the Election Commission has outlined clear steps. Such individuals can fill Form 6 to apply for inclusion of their names. The form can be submitted to the concerned Booth Level Officer or completed online through the voters.eci.gov.in website or the ECINET mobile application. Authorities have urged people not to panic, emphasizing that the draft list is not final and corrections are a key part of the process.
The draft voters’ list is widely accessible to ensure transparency. Citizens can check their details on the voters.eci.gov.in website, the ECINET app, and the official websites of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal. Physical copies are also available at offices such as the Block Development Officer (BDO), Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), District Magistrate (DM), local government offices, and district websites, making access easier even for those without internet connectivity.
Election officials have appealed to voters to take a few minutes to verify their names, addresses, and other details. They noted that even small errors, if left uncorrected, could cause problems later during elections. Civil society groups have also encouraged families to check the names of elderly members and first-time voters to ensure no one is left out.
The final electoral rolls for West Bengal are scheduled to be published on 14 February 2026. Until then, the Election Commission says it remains committed to addressing genuine concerns and maintaining accuracy, fairness, and inclusivity in the voters’ list.
For many in West Bengal, the SIR process is more than an administrative exercise. It represents the foundation of democratic participation, reminding citizens that their vote matters and that safeguarding it begins with ensuring their name is on the rolls.