New Delhi | February 4, 2026
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenged the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state.
The apex court took note of the concerns raised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and scheduled the matter for further hearing on February 9, signaling the judiciary’s intent to closely examine the electoral exercise ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
Bench Headed by CJI Surya Kant Hears the Matter
The case was heard by a three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi. Mamata Banerjee appeared in person, an unusual but significant move that underlined the political and constitutional weight of the issue.
Addressing the court, the West Bengal Chief Minister argued that the SIR process was being conducted in a manner that could arbitrarily disenfranchise voters, particularly marginalised and migrant populations.
What Is the SIR Controversy About?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an exercise undertaken by the Election Commission to update electoral rolls by identifying discrepancies, deletions, and duplications. However, the TMC has alleged that the process in West Bengal is selective, hurried, and opaque, especially with elections approaching.
Mamata Banerjee’s Key Allegations
- The SIR process is being used primarily for deletion of voter names
- West Bengal is being singled out, while other states are not subjected to similar scrutiny
- Voters are being asked for additional documents beyond Aadhaar
- Names are allegedly being removed through bulk Form-7 submissions without transparency
‘WhatsApp Commission’: Sharp Remarks in Court
During the hearing, Mamata Banerjee sharply criticised the Election Commission, referring to it as a “WhatsApp Commission”, alleging that informal directions were being issued through messaging platforms rather than official channels.
She also claimed that booth-level officers (BLOs) faced extreme pressure during the process and that harassment linked to the exercise had severe consequences.
TMC’s Core Demands Before the Supreme Court
The Trinamool Congress has urged the apex court to intervene and issue clear directions to the Election Commission. The party’s demands include:
Key Reliefs Sought
- Use of the 2025 voter list for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections
- Public disclosure of 1.4 crore disputed voter names online
- Acceptance of Aadhaar as sufficient proof of identity in discrepancy cases
- Immediate halt to alleged “secret mass deletions” of voters
- Withdrawal of 8,100 external micro-observers deployed in Bengal
Court’s Observations and Earlier Precedents
According to submissions cited in court, the Bench advised the Election Commission to ensure its officers act “sensibly” while conducting such exercises.
The Supreme Court has earlier intervened in similar SIR-related disputes. In the Tamil Nadu voter roll revision case, the court directed the EC to:
- Publicly display lists of voters with “logical discrepancies”
- Mention clear reasons for discrepancies
- Allow affected voters 10 days to submit documents
- Ensure adequate staffing to avoid harassment
These precedents are likely to influence the Bengal hearing as well.
Why This Case Matters Ahead of the 2026 Elections
With West Bengal heading into a crucial electoral battle, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for voter participation, electoral transparency, and the role of the Election Commission in poll-bound states.
Political observers believe the court’s intervention may set national guidelines on how SIR exercises should be conducted without undermining democratic rights.
What Happens Next?
- The Election Commission and West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer must now file their responses
- The matter will come up for detailed hearing on February 9
- The Supreme Court may issue interim directions if it finds prima facie merit in the allegations