Archive · 15 Nov 2025
West Bengal Misses Deadline for Voter Form Distribution
Imagine the election office in West Bengal is trying to update the list of people who can vote.
They have a big task to give out special forms to everyone.
They had a deadline to give out these forms, but they didn't finish on time.
They have given out almost all the forms, but a few are still left.
The reason it's taking so long is that some people couldn't be found at their homes by the election workers.
For these 'hard-to-find' people, notices were put on their doors.
If these people don't contact the election workers, they might be marked as 'not found'.
This whole process of updating the voter list is a big one, and it started recently and will continue until next spring.
If someone's name, or their parents' names, were not on the voter list from a long time ago (like 2002), they need to show certain documents to be sure they are on the new list.
The deadline for distributing enumeration forms, the first step in West Bengal's Special Intensive Revision (SIR), has been missed again.
Around 22 lakh enumeration forms remain undistributed, with about 7.45 crore distributed so far.
Approximately 60 lakh voters have been identified as 'non-traceable,' making direct form distribution difficult.
The first stage of the SIR process began on November 4, and the entire revision is expected to conclude by March.
Voters whose names were not on the 2002 electoral roll need to submit specific documents to remain on the list.
- Who
- The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal's office and voters in West Bengal.
- What
- The deadline for distributing enumeration forms, the first stage of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, has been missed again.
- When
- The extended deadline of November 14 was missed; the SIR process is expected to be completed by March next year.
- Where
- West Bengal.
- Why
- A significant number of voters (approx. 60 lakh) were identified as 'non-traceable,' preventing direct distribution of forms. This has caused delays in completing the distribution process.
Status of Enumeration Forms
Reasons for Missed Deadline
Form Distribution Progress
Status of Enumeration Forms
Approximately 7.45 crore enumeration forms have been distributed, reaching about 97% of the total electors.
Reasons for Missed Deadline
Despite efforts, a significant number of forms (around 22 lakhs) remain undistributed, leading to missed deadlines.
Voters Identified as Non-Traceable
Status of Enumeration Forms
A substantial portion of voters, around 60 lakh, have been identified as 'non-traceable' by booth-level officers.
Reasons for Missed Deadline
This 'non-traceable' status means BLOs could not directly distribute forms, necessitating pasting notices and marking voters if they don't respond.
- Forms Distributed
- Approx. 7.45 crore
- Total Electors
- Approx. 7.66 crore
- Remaining Forms
- Approx. 22 lakhs
- Non-Traceable Voters
- Approx. 60 lakh
- SIR Stage 1 Start Date
- November 4
- Original Form Distribution Deadline
- November 11
- Extended Form Distribution Deadline
- November 14
- Projected Completion of Entire SIR
- March next year
Sources
Bengal nears final line in SIR exercise, distributes over 93pc forms ahead of extended deadline
Kerala HC refuses to entertain plea by Kerala government seeking delay in SIR in the state
Kerala HC refuses to defer voter roll revision in state
HC refuses to entertain Kerala’s plea to defer SIR
Over 7 crore enumeration forms distributed in Bengal as part of SIR
SIR Phase II: 91 pc enumeration forms distributed across 12 states/UTs
‘Undelivered’ voter forms: 25 lakh, many shifted, unable to trace them, says CEO - Telegraph India
Bengal nears final line in SIR exercise, distributes over 93pc forms
Big Statement From Election Commission on Aadhaar Amid Phase 2 of SIR