The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to explain why the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal is being carried out on the basis of a voter list prepared in 2002.
A division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation that questioned the legality and logic of relying on two-decade-old voter data for a fresh revision. The court asked the Commission to file its affidavit clarifying its official position by November 19.
The PIL argued that the use of the 2002 list undermines the accuracy and integrity of the electoral rolls and sought a direction to the ECI to base the ongoing revision on “current documents and information as of 2025.”
Appearing for the Election Commission, its counsel informed the bench that the last such special intensive revision had indeed been conducted in 2002, and the current process follows the procedural norms laid down by the Commission.
The petitioners also raised concerns over the safety of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) deployed in the revision process, claiming that several officers were operating in an “intimidating atmosphere” and required proper protection to discharge their duties effectively.
The Election Commission is presently conducting the special revision in 12 states, including West Bengal, where Assembly elections are expected before mid-2026. The High Court will take up the matter after the Commission files its response.
