Archive · 2 Feb 2026
Mamata Banerjee Challenges ECI Over SIR Process
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has written a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner.
She is worried about special observers, called micro-observers, who are checking voter lists in her state.
She says these observers do not have the proper rules or training and might stop some people from voting.
She also thinks the Election Commission is being unfair.
Because of this, she has asked the Supreme Court to help.
She has written similar letters before and even met with other political leaders to talk about this issue.
The court will listen to her concerns soon.
Mamata Banerjee filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
She accused the ECI of political bias and an authoritarian approach, expressing concern over the impartiality of the institution.
Banerjee questioned the authority of special roll observers (SROs) and micro-observers, claiming they have been appointed only in West Bengal to review the ongoing SIR.
The hearing on the petition is scheduled for the week of the filing, and Banerjee is also slated to meet the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to raise her objections.
Banerjee is aiming to create a larger political consensus against the SIR by meeting leaders of other opposition parties during her visit to New Delhi.
- Who
- Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, and the Election Commission of India (ECI)
- What
- Allegations of data manipulation by micro-observers during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and a petition filed against the ECI and the Office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)
- When
- January 2026 (exact date not specified)
- Where
- West Bengal, India, and the Supreme Court of India
- Why
- Concerns over the legality and integrity of the SIR process, including allegations of political bias and the lack of statutory authority for micro-observers
- Author
- Mamata Banerjee
- Recipient
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar
- Number of Micro Observers
- 8,100
- State
- West Bengal
- Process
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Allegations
- Data manipulation and subversion of the roll revision process
- Legal Concern
- Lack of statutory authority for micro-observers
- Previous Letters
- January 3 and 10, 2026
- Petition Filing
- January 28, 2026
- Hearing Schedule
- Scheduled for the week of the filing
Sources
Mamata Banerjee writes to CEC again: Micro observers manipulating voter data
No receipts despite SC order, TMC councillor protests at SIR centre in Bhowanipore - Telegraph India
Bengal SIR: Mamata Banerjee files petition against ECI, CEO's office
Mamata Banerjee moves SC against SIR in West Bengal
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee moves SC against SIR
Mamata Banerjee moves Supreme Court against SIR of Bengal electoral rolls - Telegraph India
Mamata Banerjee moves SC to stall ‘partisan’ electoral roll revision, CM to meet CEC Kumar today
