‘Unplanned, chaotic and dangerous’: Mamata writes letter to CEC, urges intervention in West Bengal SIR
The Statesman | 22 November 2025
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again slammed the SIR exercise in the state, calling it “unplanned, chaotic and dangerous”. Referring to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in West Bengal ahead of the Assembly Elections early next year, Mamata said there are “critical gaps in training, lack of clarity on mandatory documentation and the near-impossibility of meeting voters in the midst of their livelihood schedules.”
The Trinamool Congress supremo, on Friday, shared on her X account a letter which she wrote to the Election Commission yesterday, stating: “Sharing herewith my latest letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, articulating my serious concerns in respect of the ongoing SIR…..”
Mamata called on the ECI to intervene immediately in the exercise that is “structurally unsound”. In the letter addressed to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Mamata alleged there was inadequate planning, insufficient training, and unrealistic timelines with regard to the SIR exercise. These are “compromising the process’s credibility”, she added.
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“I have time and again flagged my serious concerns in respect of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and the way it has been thrust upon the people. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous. The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning or clear communication has crippled the process from day one,” she wrote.
The CM further stressed that there was excessive workload and pressure on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who were struggling with online data entry, server issues, and inadequate training, thereby putting at risk the accuracy of voter data.
“The unrealistic workload (on BLOs), impossible timelines, and inadequate support with online data entry have collectively placed the entire process and its credibility at severe risk. This strikes at the heart of our electoral democracy,” she wrote, adding, “BLOs are now operating far beyond human limits. They are expected to manage their principal duties (many being teachers and frontline workers) while simultaneously conducting door-to-door surveys and handling complex e-submissions.”
Mamata claimed the flaws in the SIR exercise may cause “disenfranchisement of genuine voters, erosion of electoral roll integrity, and undermining of democratic processes.”
The CM further accused the ECI of intimidation instead of seeking to resolve the issues.
“What is particularly unacceptable is the response from the Election Commission at this juncture. Instead of offering support, extending timelines, or addressing systemic flaws, the office of the CEO of West Bengal has resorted to intimidation. Show-cause notices are being issued without justification. BLOs-already stretched and distressed-are being threatened with severe disciplinary action simply because the Commission refuses to acknowledge the reality on the ground,” the letter added.
The BJP reacted to Mamata’s letter and said the West Bengal CM was trying to undermine the ECI’s constitutional authority.
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Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, in a counter letter submitted to CEC Gyanesh Kumar, said: “Her communication, rather than offering constructive suggestions for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls, appears to be a calculated attempt to undermine the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Constitutional Mandate, sow discord among Election Officials, and protect a Vote-Bank of ‘ineligible and illegal elements’ that her Trinamool Congress (TMC) led State Government has nurtured for electoral gains for years.”
“This is an attempt to erode public trust on the ECI and trying to curb the ECI’s independence. Such conduct from the head of a State Government is unbecoming and must be condemned in the strongest terms, as it exemplifies the very ‘Jungle Raaj’ that has plagued West Bengal under TMC rule,” Adhikari added.