Bengal SIR: 37.18 Lakh Electoral Roll Appeals Still Pending Before Tribunals, EC Tells SC
The EC said 37.18 lakh appeals remain pending after tribunals began hearing challenges to deletions and inclusions in the state’s voter rolls.
- The Election Commission informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that of 38.20 lakh appeals regarding West Bengal's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, only 1.02 lakh have been resolved, leaving over 37 lakh pending.
- Noting a trust deficit between the Election Commission and West Bengal authorities, the Supreme Court ordered the Special Intensive Revision in October 2025, establishing 19 appellate tribunals staffed by approximately 700 judicial officers to adjudicate eligibility disputes.
- Data reveals stark disparities in case disposal across districts: Murshidabad decided only 514 of 7,47,921 appeals, Uttar Dinajpur disposed 9,104 of 3,03,155, and Purba Bardhaman resolved 131 of 2,80,029, highlighting operational bottlenecks.
- Prioritizing disenfranchised voters, the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to streamline the adjudication process, particularly as Municipal elections approach and thousands of voters remain in electoral limbo.
- Between December 2025 and August 2026, approximately 34.13 lakh Form 6 applications for voter registration were submitted, raising concerns over the finality of electoral rolls amid ongoing adjudication.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Over 37 lakh electoral roll appeals pending in West Bengal
The Election Commission has informed the Supreme Court that over 37 lakh appeals concerning deletions or inclusions in West Bengal's electoral rolls remain pending under the Special Intensive Revision. The apex court-appointed tribunals have disposed of only a fraction of the 38.20 lakh appeals filed, prompting the Supreme Court to seek data and a plan for streamlining the adjudication process.
Bengal SIR: Over 37 Lakh Appeals Against Electoral Roll Changes Pending, EC Tells SC
<p>New Delhi, Sep 18 (PTI) More than 37 lakh appeals against deletion or inclusion of names in West Bengal's electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision remain pending, the Election Commission has told the Supreme Court.</p> <p>The poll panel, in its response affidavit, said the apex court-appointed tribunals have disposed of only about 1.02 lakh of the 38.20 lakh appeals filed so far.</p> <p>On July 17, a bench comprising Chief Justice…
Bengal SIR: 5 months on, only 1 lakh of 38 lakh voter appeals disposed of so far
The EC filed its counter-affidavit in response to a July 17 notice on a petition by West Bengal Congress leader Prasenjit Bose, seeking details on pending appeals and data on additions and deletions in the state's electoral rolls during the SIR process.
37 lakh appeals against electoral roll changes still pending in Bengal, EC tells SC
The Election Commission has told the Supreme Court that over 37 lakh electoral roll appeals in West Bengal are still pending. The huge backlog has intensified the court's push for faster tribunal hearings and clearer disposal data.
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