In a high-stakes clash over West Bengal’s voter registry, the Supreme Court will delve into multiple petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on Wednesday. Leading the charge is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, whose explosive January 28 filing accuses the Election Commission of ‘dictatorial tendencies’ and political meddling.
Banerjee contends the SIR is disastrously flawed, risking the deletion of genuine voters’ names under the guise of purification. ‘It’s creating panic and eroding trust in our democracy,’ her petition states, highlighting the absence of stakeholder input or robust verification mechanisms.
The process, rolled out statewide, requires voters to submit extensive documents—birth certificates, Aadhaar, rations cards—often unavailable to the poor and marginalized. Critics like Banerjee see this as targeted disenfranchisement, especially in TMC strongholds, potentially skewing future assembly polls.
The Election Commission defends SIR as a proactive step against bogus voting, citing past anomalies. Yet, Banerjee’s lawyers decry it as unconstitutional, infringing on voting rights enshrined in Article 326. They urge the court to suspend operations, order name restorations, and enforce transparent norms.
This showdown underscores deepening rifts between state leadership and central poll authorities. As Wednesday’s arguments unfold, the apex court holds the key to preserving electoral fairness in one of India’s most volatile states. Stakeholders from all sides await a ruling that could redefine voter list management nationwide.
