Key Points:
- 58,20,898 voters removed from West Bengal draft list under SIR 2026
- 24,16,852 deceased voters account for highest removal category
- 19,88,076 voters removed for permanent relocation
- 12,20,038 missing voters and 1,38,328 duplicate entries purged
- Objection window open from December 16, 2025, to January 15, 2026
- Process previously adopted in Bihar to ensure transparency
The Election Commission has taken a significant step just before the West Bengal assembly elections by removing the names of 58,20,898 voters from the draft list for SIR 2026. This major cleanup operation aims to ensure complete transparency and fairness in the electoral process, a methodology previously adopted in Bihar. West Bengal is scheduled to hold elections for its 294-member assembly next year, making this cleanup crucial for maintaining an accurate voter database.
According to Election Commission data, these voters were included in the state’s voter list in 2025 but have been removed from the 2026 draft list after thorough verification. The commission has published detailed information about the removed voters on its official portal at ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/asd-sir, allowing citizens to verify the changes.
Breakdown of Removed Voters
The Election Commission has categorized the removed voters based on specific grounds, with deceased voters forming the largest group. The detailed breakdown reveals the scale and reasons behind this massive cleanup:
- The highest number, 24,16,852 people, were found to be deceased and removed from the rolls
- 19,88,076 people had permanently shifted from their registered addresses
- 12,20,038 people were found to be missing from their registered locations
- 1,38,328 names were identified as duplicate voters registered in more than one constituency
- The remaining 57,604 names have been removed under the “Other” category
The commission stated that these voters’ SIR enumeration forms were found to be “uncollectible,” leading to their removal on grounds of not being present at registered addresses, permanent relocation, death, or duplicate registrations.
Objection Filing Process and Timeline
Voters whose names have been removed from the draft list have been provided an opportunity to file objections and reclaim their voting rights. The Election Commission has announced that affected individuals can submit their claims and objections from December 16, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
To file an objection, voters need to submit Form 6 along with a declaration form and supporting documents proving their eligibility and residence. This process ensures that genuine voters who may have been inadvertently removed can be reinstated in the final voter list. The commission has made the list of removed names available on its portal, enabling citizens to check their status and take necessary action within the stipulated timeframe.
