ECI explains SIR notice to Amartya Sen, cites ‘age difference with mother’ in voter records
The Statesman | 8 January 2026
The Chief Electoral Office (CEO) of West Bengal on Wednesday clarified that a notice issued to Nobel laureate Amartya Sen under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was triggered by a data inconsistency flagged by the Election Commission’s online system.
The clarification came after sharp political reactions, with opposition parties alleging that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had unfairly targeted one of India’s most respected public intellectuals.
According to the state election office, the Electoral Roll Officers’ Network (ERONET) portal identified a “logical discrepancy” in the enumeration form submitted for Sen, who is registered as an overseas elector in West Bengal’s Bolpur Assembly constituency in Birbhum district.
The issue centred on the age gap between Sen and his mother, Amita Sen. Officials said the difference reflected in the database was less than 15 years, a combination that automatically triggers verification under SIR norms.
“The Enumeration Form of Amartya Sen an overseas elector, was received by his family member Shantabhanu Sen who linked him with his mother Amita Sen. Since the age difference between the elector and his mother was less than 15 years, logical discrepancy was flagged by the ERO Net Portal,” tweeted the CEO West Bengal on X.
The office added that the notice was not exceptional and was generated in the same manner as thousands of similar cases flagged during the revision exercise.
“Notice was generated for Dr Amartya Sen in parity with the other discrepancy cases. Since the elector is aged 85 years plus, ERO/AERO along with BLO have visited his residence and completed the formalities,” the statement said.
Notice served at Santiniketan home
The notice was served at Sen’s Santiniketan residence, ‘Pratichi’, by a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in his absence, as the economist is currently abroad. It was handed over to his relative Shantabhanu Sen. The document asked that the matter be clarified at his residence on January 16 at noon, in the presence of the Bolpur Election Registration Officer.
The notice stated: “Special Intensive Revision (SIR) work is going on in your assembly constituency. Your duly signed calculation form has been accepted, and the following points have been observed: As per your declaration, the age difference between you and your father/mother is less than 15 years, which is generally not expected…”
It further added: “No match or possibly incorrect match with the voter list prepared at the time of previous SIR with a view to stay, we request you to be present in front of the undersigned… on 16-JAN-2026 at 12:00 PM at your residence.”
A staff member overseeing Sen’s household maintenance alleged that the discrepancy arose after the birth year of Sen’s mother was altered in official records.
“They (Election Commission) have issued a notice stating that there is a 15-year age difference between Amartya Sen and his mother, but Amartya Sen’s mother was born in 1914. When Amartya Sen was born, there was a 19-year and 6-month age difference between him and his mother… but they changed 1914 to 1918 and sent him the notice… this is very inhumane…,” Geeti Kantha Majumdar said.
In response to the notice, Shantabhanu Sen said, “Everyone knows who Amartya Sen is. Trying to harass such an elderly person without reason—what more can I say? We have received the notice after speaking to a lawyer.”
Political reactions sharpen as parties trade charges
The notice quickly became a political flashpoint in West Bengal.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) described the move as a “shameful farce” and accused the ECI of singling out prominent Bengalis.
“A Nobel laureate should be above any suspicion, right? But what if he’s a Bengali? Then he’ll be slapped with hearing notices as if he were some common criminal,” the party said in a post on X.
Also Read: Abhishek attacks ECI over notices to Amartya Sen, Shami & Dev
Congress also joined the criticism, questioning the Election Commission’s intent.
“Gyanesh Kumar has tarnished the credibility of the Election Commission, and that too only because he wants to please his boss Modi. Sending a notice to Amartya Sen is tragic. The Election Commission and Narendra Modi should apologise for this,” the party said.
The BJP, however, defended the process, saying the notice was issued solely to verify an anomaly and accused the TMC of seeking preferential treatment.
“While TMC may believe in differential treatment in West Bengal, where some individuals appear to be above the law, Indian democracy does not allow such exceptions,” the BJP said, adding that all citizens are equal before the law.