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The draft publication, made available on Tuesday through the Chief Electoral Officers official portals, is a routine step conducted ahead of the state assembly elections expected in early 2026. The SIR aims to ensure accuracy and currency of voter details by removing entries that are outdated, duplicated, or no longer valid.
According to the ECI’s data, the majority of deletions fall into categories such as voters marked deceased, those who have relocated permanently, and entries documented as duplicates or missing from their registered addresses. Civil officials say this cleanup effort is standard ahead of major polls, ensuring that voters’ rolls reflect current residency and eligibility.
The draft counts show that over 24 lakh deceased voters, 12 lakh missing, and nearly 20 lakh relocated entries were removed, highlighting the scale of the revision process. Additionally, thousands of duplicate entries were also pruned as part of the effort.
While the deletions may seem large, authorities stress that this is the draft stage of the process. Individuals who find their names missing aren’t disenfranchised yet they can submit claims or objections during the notification period, which typically runs until mid-January 2026.
The ECI has made provisions for affected voters to check their status online and file the necessary paperwork to restore their names to the final list if they qualify. This includes visiting the CEO’s website or physically approaching local election offices for assistance.
As the electoral rolls undergo this significant revision, political parties and civil society groups are closely watching the process, underscoring its importance in shaping voter participation and representation in a politically vibrant state like West Bengal.
Overall, such a large-scale cleanup is aimed at bolstering the integrity of the democratic process, even as officials and citizens alike prepare for the upcoming elections.
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