Archive · 17 Dec 2025
West Bengal Draft Voter List Errors
The Election Commission of India has updated the voter list in West Bengal, removing over 58 lakh names that were marked as dead, relocated, missing, or duplicate.
People can check if their names are on the list and correct any mistakes.
One person, Atish Aziz, found that his name and his father's name, Md Salim, had been changed to include a Hindu surname, 'Awasthi'.
This mistake has caused a political controversy.
People can submit claims and objections until January 15, 2026, to fix any errors in the voter list.
Over 58 lakh names removed from West Bengal's draft voter list during Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Citizens can check and correct their names in the draft voter list until January 15, 2026.
Atish Aziz and his father, Md Salim, found their names incorrectly listed with the surname 'Awasthi' in the draft voter list.
The draft voter list was published on December 16, 2023, as part of the SIR exercise.
The final electoral rolls will be published on February 14, 2026, after which Assembly polls are expected.
- Who
- Citizens of West Bengal, including Atish Aziz and Md Salim
- What
- Errors and discrepancies in the draft voter list, including incorrect names and surnames
- When
- Draft voter list published on December 16, claims and objections open until January 15, 2026
- Where
- West Bengal, India
- Why
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to update and clean electoral rolls
- Total Names Removed
- 58 lakh
- Marked as Dead
- 24 lakh
- Marked as Relocated
- 19 lakh
- Marked as Missing
- 12 lakh
- Marked as Duplicate
- 1.3 lakh
- Last SIR in Bengal
- 2002
- Claims and Objections Deadline
- January 15, 2026
- Final Electoral Rolls Publication
- February 14, 2026
