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Suvendu Adhikari said that phase 2 of the SIR is the most crucial stage of the entire process, which determines whether the final electoral roll is fair and accurate.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari (File Image)
West Bengal SIR: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking immediate intervention in the Second Phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, alleging attempts to influence and manipulate the process.
As the political fervour rises ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP have repeatedly sparred over the SIR exercise. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly questioned the SIR, alleging that it will disenfranchise genuine voters in the state.
In its letter addressed to the poll body, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said that phase 2 of the SIR is the most crucial stage of the entire process, which determines whether the final electoral roll is fair, accurate, and free from manipulation.
“The Second Phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is the most crucial stage of the entire process. This phase will determine whether the final electoral roll is fair, accurate, and free from manipulation,” Adhikari mentioned in the letter.
He, however, claimed that the party is receiving serious and consistent reports of undue influence being exercised to interfere with this phase, which directly threatens the neutrality and credibility of the SIR.
To ensure neutrality, the BJP has demanded:
- Supervision of the entire phase by Micro Observers appointed from among Central Government employees, and
- 100% CCTV coverage of all scrutiny and hearing proceedings, with preservation of the footage until the end of the SIR.
He argued that these measures are essential to prevent manipulation and ensure transparency.
Concerns Over Enumeration Form Submission
Adhikari’s letter came as fresh concerns have emerged over the submission of enumeration forms across the state.
According to ECI data, on Monday, 2,208 booths reported full submission of enumeration forms. By Tuesday, the number dropped dramatically to 480. On Wednesday evening, the figure had plummeted to just 29.
Finding the sudden fluctuations “unrealistic,” especially as no uncollectible forms were reported, the Election Commission has directed District Election Officers to submit detailed reports.
The BJP has further claimed that certain politically motivated Block Development Officers are pressuring BLOs to share their OTPs so that the names of the dead, those who have shifted, and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants can be included in the ongoing SIR process.
It sought immediate corrective measures from the poll body, warning that the exercise would be fundamentally compromised if swift action is not taken.
Amid rising complaints from multiple political parties, the Election Commission–appointed Special Roll Observer, Subrata Gupta, has begun consultations with the public, political parties, and organisations to address grievances related to the SIR.
Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. December 03, 2025, 23:18 IST
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