Archive · 5 Jan 2026
EC seeks report on observer attack in Bengal
The Election Commission of India is very concerned about an incident where an electoral observer named C. Murugan was attacked in West Bengal.
The commission has asked the state's police chief to send a report about what happened and what actions will be taken by January 6.
This incident occurred in a place called South 24-Parganas, which is a stronghold of a political leader.
Many migrant workers from Bengal are also facing problems because they have to travel back home for hearings related to voter lists, which is causing them to lose money and jobs.
The commission is also asking the police to provide better security for observers in the future.
Additionally, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has written to the Election Commission expressing concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, stating that it is arbitrary and unplanned, and could lead to mass disenfranchisement and irreversible harm to democracy.
She has urged the EC to halt the process or address its shortcomings immediately.
The Election Commission has asked the West Bengal DGP to submit an action taken report by January 6 on the attack on electoral roll observer C. Murugan.
The incident occurred on December 29 in South 24-Parganas, a stronghold of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee.
The EC has directed the DGP to provide adequate police security for electoral observers during their field visits in Bengal.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to the Chief Election Commissioner raising concerns over alleged irregularities, procedural violations, and administrative shortcomings during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state.
Banerjee urged the CEC to immediately address the shortcomings or suspend the SIR process altogether, warning of mass disenfranchisement and irreversible harm to democracy.
- Who
- Election Commission of India, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
- What
- EC seeks action taken report on attack on electoral roll observer C. Murugan and Mamata Banerjee writes to EC over alleged irregularities in SIR process
- When
- Incident on December 29, 2025; Report due by January 6, 2026; Letter to CEC dated December 3, 2025
- Where
- South 24-Parganas, West Bengal
- Why
- To address serious security lapses, ensure safety of electoral observers, and address alleged irregularities in the SIR process
West Bengal Government
Election Commission of India
SIR Process
West Bengal Government
The SIR process is arbitrary, unplanned, and compromised, leading to irregularities and procedural violations. It should be halted to prevent mass disenfranchisement and irreversible harm to democracy.
Election Commission of India
The EC has directed the DGP to provide adequate police security for electoral observers during their field visits in Bengal and has sought an action taken report on the attack on electoral roll observer C. Murugan.
- Observer
- C. Murugan
- Incident Date
- December 29, 2025
- Location
- South 24-Parganas, West Bengal
- Report Deadline
- January 6, 2026
- Migrant Workers Affected
- 22 lakh registered in Bengal
- Chief Minister
- Mamata Banerjee
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
Sources
EC for action on observer obstruction, seeks report from Bengal DGP - Telegraph India
EC seeks action taken report on attack on roll observer from DGP, sets Jan 6 deadline
Bengal SIR: Back again for hearings, migrant workers risk livelihood over electoral rolls
Bengal SIR exercise: ECI directs CEO to bar BLA, political intervention at hearing sessions
SIR in West Bengal: Illegal voter from Bangladesh, Abdul Rahim Gazi, attacks female Adivasi BLO with shoes for exposing him
Adhikari slams Bengal DGP after EC flags ‘serious security lapses’
Mamata urges CEC to halt SIR in Bengal, warns of mass disenfranchisement
SIR in Bengal 'compromised': Mamata Banerjee writes to EC over 'irregularities, procedural violations'
EC Asks Bengal DGP For Report On Security Lapses Into Mob Attack On Poll Observer
Mamata urges CEC to halt ‘arbitrary, flawed’ SIR in Bengal, warns of mass disenfranchisement
Crawling, limping, travelling miles: Vulnerable voters bear brunt of Bengal SIR