Amartya Sen Receives Notice from Election Commission Over Voter registration Discrepancy

Kolkata: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has received a notice from the Election commission of India (ECI) regarding discrepancies in his voter registration form. The notice, part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, initially required Sen too appear in person, but the ECI has since clarified that a hearing will be conducted at his ancestral residence in Birbhum district, West Bengal [[1]].

The Discrepancy and the Notice

According to a poll panel official in Bolpur, the notice was generated due to a discrepancy in the age difference reported between Sen and his parents on the enumeration form. Specifically, the form indicated an age difference of less than 15 years, which requires clarification [[1]]. Gitikantha Majumdar, a family friend of Sen, stated that the actual age difference between Sen and his mother is approximately 19 years and six months, suggesting a potential error by the poll panel [[1]].

Political Reactions

The notice has drawn criticism from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). Abhishek Banerjee, TMC national general secretary, condemned the action, stating that targeting a figure of Sen’s stature was a “humiliation” and indicative of a “BJP-controlled ECI” [[3]].

In response, BJP legislator Suvendu Adhikari defended the ECI’s action, suggesting that the notice was likely due to legitimate discrepancies and urging Sen to cooperate. He also pointed out that the ECI has provisions for conducting hearings at the residences of citizens over 85 years of age, citing the example of former minister Kanti Ganguly [[3]].

Broader Context: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

the notice to Amartya Sen is part of a larger Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in west Bengal. The ECI initiated the first phase of the SIR on December 16, 2025, which resulted in a decrease in the electorate from 76.6 million to 70.8 million due to the deletion of over 5.8 million names [[1]]. The second phase, beginning December 27, 2025, involves hearings for 16.7 million electors, including those with logical discrepancies or incomplete records [[1]].

The SIR has been a point of contention, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee considering a move to the Supreme Court against what she describes as “harassment” faced by citizens during the revision process [[1]]. She previously sent a letter to the CEC alleging flaws in the SIR process.

Recent Similar cases

Sen is not the only prominent individual to receive a notice during this revision process. Cricketer Mohammed Shami was also called for a hearing on January 5, though he was unable to attend due to travel commitments [[1]].

Key Takeaways

• Amartya Sen received a notice from the ECI regarding a discrepancy in his voter registration form.
• The discrepancy concerns the reported age difference between Sen and his parents.
• The TMC has criticized the notice, while the BJP has defended the ECI’s actions.
• The notice is part of a broader special intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
• The final electoral roll after the SIR will be published on February 14.