New Delhi: A fresh row has ignited between the Indian National Congress and the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s electoral rolls. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the polling authority of serious procedural lapses and demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other senior officials be called to account.
Tribunals highlight digital flaws in the SIR process
Ramesh’s outburst follows a series of reports that documented complaints from judges overseeing appeals linked to the SIR exercise. More than a dozen tribunals, constituted under a Supreme Court directive, have identified shortcomings in the online platform used to process cases of voters whose names were removed from the rolls.
These tribunals are hearing petitions from citizens who claim they were unfairly struck off. Their observations add another layer to the already heated political debate surrounding the roll‑revision drive.
Congress questions the credibility of the election machinery
In light of the tribunal findings, Ramesh warned that the revelations point to deeper systemic weaknesses within the Election Commission. He further alleged that the ruling party’s central leadership is attempting to influence the outcome of the forthcoming West Bengal Assembly elections.
The Congress leader called for the chief election commissioner and other senior officials to be held responsible, reiterating the party’s demand for greater transparency in how electoral rolls are updated.
These accusations form part of a broader opposition push that has repeatedly challenged the SIR methodology, especially the removal and later reinstatement of voter names.
Supreme Court intervenes in the controversy
The issue has also drawn the judiciary’s attention. During a recent hearing, a Supreme Court bench announced it would examine the decisions and records related to the SIR exercise. The court clarified that any amendment to Form 6—the application used by citizens to seek inclusion in the electoral roll—has not yet received its approval.
This judicial pronouncement provides the opposition with fresh ammunition, intensifying its demand for answers from the Election Commission.
Election Commission defends its stance
The Election Commission, for its part, maintains that its actions are firmly grounded in established legal procedures. It argues that divergent views and observations are normal in institutional deliberations and that its orders carry the necessary legal backing.
With West Bengal’s electoral landscape already a flashpoint of political contention, the latest allegations and the Supreme Court’s involvement are set to keep the story in the national spotlight in the days ahead.
