West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026: 1,468 Voters Cleared by Tribunal to Cast Ballots in Final Phase

The second and final phase of West Bengal’s 2026 Assembly elections will see 1,468 additional voters participate after their names were restored to the electoral rolls following orders from appellate tribunals. The Election Commission of India (ECI) confirmed on Tuesday that these voters, whose appeals were resolved under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, will be eligible to vote on April 29.

How the Tribunal Process Unfolded

The inclusion of these voters follows a Supreme Court directive issued earlier this month, which set strict deadlines for the resolution of appeals related to the SIR process. The court ruled that voters cleared by appellate tribunals by April 21 (for the first phase) and April 27 (for the second phase) would be added to a supplementary electoral roll, allowing them to cast their ballots in the respective phases of the election.

An ECI official told PTI that the names of these voters were included in the supplementary roll after their appeals were disposed of by the tribunals. Voters can verify their inclusion by entering their Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number on the Election Commission’s official website.

The Controversy Over Voter Deletions

The SIR process, aimed at cleaning up electoral rolls, has been a contentious issue in West Bengal. Reports indicate that nearly 1.29 million voters were initially removed from the rolls during the revision, sparking allegations of disenfranchisement from opposition parties and civil society groups. However, the ECI has maintained that the process was conducted transparently, with opportunities for affected voters to appeal their exclusion.

According to data from the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer’s office, 99.59% of the excluded voters were later restored after appeals, while approximately 128,600 names remained off the rolls. The ECI has emphasized that the SIR process was carried out in accordance with legal provisions, ensuring that only ineligible voters were removed.

Political Reactions and Last-Minute Campaigning

The inclusion of the 1,468 voters has added a new dimension to the final phase of campaigning in West Bengal. Political parties have intensified their efforts to reach out to these voters, with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) both making last-minute appeals.

In a letter addressed to the people of West Bengal on the final day of campaigning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed confidence that the BJP would form the next government in the state. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged her party workers to ensure that all eligible voters, including those restored through the tribunal process, receive their voter slips in time to participate in the election.

What Voters Need to Know

Voters whose names have been added to the supplementary roll can check their polling station details and other relevant information on the ECI’s website. The second phase of polling will cover key constituencies across West Bengal, with security arrangements in place to ensure a smooth voting process.

Key Takeaways

• 1,468 voters cleared by appellate tribunals will be eligible to vote in the second phase of West Bengal’s Assembly elections on April 29.
• The Supreme Court set deadlines for the inclusion of voters whose appeals were resolved by April 21 (first phase) and April 27 (second phase).
• Nearly 1.29 million voters were initially removed during the SIR process, but 99.59% were later restored after appeals.
• Political parties, including the TMC and BJP, have intensified their campaigning efforts ahead of the final phase.
• Voters can verify their inclusion in the supplementary roll by entering their EPIC number on the ECI’s website.

FAQ

What is the SIR process?

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process conducted by the Election Commission to update and clean electoral rolls by removing ineligible voters and adding new eligible ones. It includes provisions for affected voters to appeal their exclusion.

How can voters check if their names are on the supplementary roll?

Voters can check their status by entering their EPIC number on the Election Commission’s official website.

What happens if a voter’s name is not on the supplementary roll?

If a voter’s name does not appear on the supplementary roll, they will not be eligible to vote in the current election. However, they can apply for inclusion in future revisions of the electoral rolls.

Looking Ahead

With the second phase of polling set to take place on April 29, all eyes are on West Bengal as political parties await the outcome of what has been one of the most closely contested elections in the state’s recent history. The inclusion of the 1,468 voters cleared by the tribunals could play a decisive role in several key constituencies, adding an extra layer of significance to the final phase of voting.