Controversy surrounding the revision of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in January 2026, including allegations of politically motivated voter deletion and the Election Commission's defense of its actions.
In January 2026, a controversy erupted over the revision of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The Election Commission of India (EC) conducted a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), leading to significant voter deletions. In UP, a substantial 18.7% of names were removed, raising concerns about disenfranchisement. The EC defended its actions as a constitutional duty to exclude foreigners and correct errors. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP and EC of a politically motivated conspiracy to delete voters, alleging targeted removals of specific communities and individuals. The controversy highlights the importance of maintaining accurate and inclusive electoral rolls while safeguarding against potential manipulation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP and the Election Commission of conspiring to delete voters in Bengal during the SIR, alleging a 'BJP-EC nexus' aimed at removing a large number of names from the electoral rolls.
The Election Commission defended its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls before the Supreme Court, asserting its constitutional duty to exclude foreigners, while Uttar Pradesh's draft electoral rolls revealed a significant 18.7% deletion rate, attributed to deaths, migration, and multiple registrations.
Exam Notes
Constitutional articles, acts & key terms
Practice Questions
18 MCQs, 5 Mains questions
