Archive · 19 Sep 2026
EC Says 82% of Deleted Bengal Voters Appealed Removal
West Bengal checked its voter lists before the Assembly elections.
During this process, about 27 lakh voters had their names deleted or placed under review.
More than 22 lakh of those voters asked tribunals to put their names back.
Altogether, tribunals received about 38 lakh appeals.
Some other appeals asked for included voters to be removed.
The Election Commission did not say who filed those appeals.
About 1.2 lakh appeals had been decided when the information was submitted.
In 93% of those decisions, voters were included in the electoral rolls again.
The Election Commission told the Supreme Court that 38.31 lakh appeals were filed over West Bengal electoral-roll decisions.
Of these, 22.21 lakh appeals were filed by voters whose names had been deleted.
The deleted-voter appeals represent about 82% of the 27.16 lakh voters removed through the revision process.
Another 16.10 lakh appeals challenged the inclusion of voters and sought their deletion.
About 1.2 lakh appeals had been decided, with 93% resulting in voters being restored to the rolls.
- Who
- The Election Commission, deleted and included voters, other objectors, and tribunals; the data was submitted in response to an application by TMC MP Derek O’Brien.
- What
- The Election Commission reported 38.31 lakh appeals concerning voter deletions and inclusions during West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision.
- When
- The tribunals began hearing appeals in April, and the data was submitted to the Supreme Court by August 25, with the submission also described as being made on a Friday.
- Where
- West Bengal, before appellate tribunals and the Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- Deleted voters sought restoration to the rolls, while other appeals sought the removal of voters whose inclusion was challenged.
Restoration and voter-rights concerns
Challenges to voter inclusion
Appeals over deleted voters
Restoration and voter-rights concerns
Deleted voters appealed to have their names restored, and 22.21 lakh such appeals were reported.
Challenges to voter inclusion
Other appeals challenged the inclusion of voters and sought their deletion; the Election Commission did not identify the filers.
Impact of the revision
Restoration and voter-rights concerns
Concerns were raised that the revision could remove genuine voters and affect electoral outcomes.
Challenges to voter inclusion
The Election Commission’s submission recorded both deletion and inclusion challenges as part of the adjudication process, without stating that the revision had improperly affected voters.
Conflicting appeal figures
Restoration and voter-rights concerns
An earlier report quoted an unidentified poll official as saying that only 7 lakh appeals concerned deletions.
Challenges to voter inclusion
The Election Commission’s later submission said 22.21 lakh appeals were filed by deleted voters, while 16.10 lakh challenged inclusions.
- Total appeals
- 38.31 lakh, also reported as about 38.2 lakh
- Appeals by deleted voters
- 22.21 lakh, or about 22.2 lakh
- Voters deleted
- 27.16 lakh, or about 27 lakh
- Appeals against inclusion
- 16.10 lakh
- Appeals decided
- About 1.2 lakh, representing 3.1% of the total
- Outcome of decided appeals
- 93% resulted in inclusion in the electoral rolls
- Revision process
- Special Intensive Revision of West Bengal’s electoral rolls before the Assembly elections
