Kolkata: In a major update ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, nearly 91 lakh voters have been removed from the state's electoral rolls following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India.
The revision process, which began in November last year, has significantly reduced the voter base. Earlier, the total electorate stood at around 7.66 crore, but after initial deletions of 63.66 lakh names (about 8.3%), the number dropped to just over 7.04 crore.
Further scrutiny has now pushed total deletions to approximately 90.83 lakh voters, making this one of the largest roll clean-up exercises in recent times.
Who were removed and who stayed?
A major chunk of the revision focused on voters placed under the "under adjudication" category, essentially names flagged for verification.
Out of 60.06 lakh such voters,
- 27.16 lakh names were deleted after scrutiny
- 32.68 lakh were cleared and retained in the final list
This means that while many were removed, a significant number were also validated and kept in the rolls.
The timing is crucial. With elections around the corner, the updated voter list will directly impact who can cast their vote.
The Election Commission confirmed that the rolls for the first phase of polling have now been frozen, meaning no further additions can be made at this stage.
"The revision exercise has been carried out in a phased and transparent manner. District-wise data has now been placed in the public domain to ensure complete accountability," a senior EC official said.
He added that minor changes may still occur once pending formalities, such as e-signatures, are completed.
How to check your name in West Bengal SIR 2026 voter list
Follow these steps to verify your name:
Visit the official website: ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in
On the homepage, click on "SIR Final Roll 2026" under the Latest News section
Select details like State, Year of Revision, Roll Type, District, Assembly Constituency, and Language
Find your Polling Station/Booth (Part Number) from the list
Download the voter list PDF
Save it on your device
Use Ctrl + F and search your name in the PDF
Election timeline to watch
West Bengal's 294 assembly seats will go to polls in two phases:
April 23: Voting for 152 seats
April 29: Voting for the remaining 142 seats
The voter list for the second phase will be frozen on April 9.
"There will be no further inclusion in the electoral roll at this stage. The list stands frozen as per law following the last date of nomination for the first phase," a senior Election Commission official told PTI.
Supreme Court hearing ahead
The issue is also under legal scrutiny, with the Supreme Court of India set to hear matters related to the revision exercise on April 13.
"Any change hereon will depend solely on fresh directions, if any, from the Supreme Court," the official added.
If you are a voter in West Bengal, this is the time to check your name on the electoral roll immediately. With the list frozen, missing names may not be restored before voting unless directed by the court.