Political tensions escalated in Kolkata after a high-level meeting convened by West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab to discuss the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ended in heated exchanges. Leaders from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), CPI(M), and Congress strongly criticised the Election Commission, accusing it of being “unprepared” and “unclear” about critical procedures related to voter verification and enumeration forms.
The controversy followed the Election Commission’s recent announcement to conduct the SIR process across 12 states and Union Territories to update the electoral rolls. The meeting in Kolkata, intended to brief political parties about the steps and guidelines for voter list verification, quickly turned confrontational as opposition leaders raised sharp questions about the Commission’s preparedness and transparency.
Senior leaders from multiple parties voiced strong disapproval of the responses provided by the state election officials. CPI(M) veteran Sujan Chakraborty expressed open frustration, claiming that the Election Commission’s representatives failed to give convincing answers. He said that despite repeated questions, officials appeared uncertain about basic procedures and seemed to deflect responsibility to the central office in Delhi. “We asked specific questions about voter identification and enumeration forms, but the CEO clearly stated he could not change anything because it was all fixed by Delhi,” Chakraborty remarked, calling the situation “deeply unsatisfactory.”
The Trinamool Congress echoed similar criticism. Ministers Firhad Hakim and Aroop Biswas accused the Election Commission of failing to protect the interests of legitimate voters. Hakim cautioned that the revision process must not be used to exclude genuine voters or to advance political agendas. He also linked the issue to broader public anxieties, referring to a tragic incident involving a man from North 24 Parganas who allegedly took his life due to fear surrounding the National Register of Citizens (NRC). “We have demanded that no legitimate citizen be struck off the rolls. The SIR process should not become another tool to discriminate or intimidate,” Hakim stated.
Aroop Biswas reinforced the TMC’s demand for fairness and neutrality, urging the Election Commission to conduct the process without political bias. “We want an assurance that no party will receive undue advantage. The voter list must remain accurate and inclusive,” he said, highlighting the party’s insistence on accountability.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took a markedly different stance, welcoming the Election Commission’s initiative. BJP leaders expressed full confidence in the SIR process and pledged to extend their cooperation to ensure its smooth execution.
In response to the criticism, CEO Ariz Aftab maintained that the Election Commission was committed to ensuring a transparent and fair revision process. He assured that all political parties would receive the necessary documents, updates, and clarifications as the process moves forward. “We are satisfied with today’s meeting and are hopeful that all parties will cooperate. Every instruction from the Election Commission will be implemented carefully,” Aftab said, attempting to calm the situation.
The dispute underscores growing political mistrust surrounding voter list revisions in West Bengal, a state where electoral processes often become flashpoints for controversy. The latest confrontation highlights not only administrative challenges but also the deep political divides over citizenship, identification, and voter rights that continue to dominate the state’s political landscape.
