The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal is under fire as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the entire exercise is “unplanned”, and “coercive” in nature mounting work pressure on those working on it. Calling it “chaotic”, she said that the SIR has reached a “dangerous” stage, which “compelled” her to write to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
In her letter, CM Mamata claimed that the exercise has reached an “alarming” and “dangerous” stage. She added that despite her flagging concerns “time and again”, nothing has been done by the election commission.
What Mamata told CEC
Mamata alleged that the voters’ list revision exercise is being “forced upon” people “without basic preparedness or adequate planning”.
The ECI last month announced SIR in 12 states/UTs including 2026 poll-bound states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. However, there have been reports that the booth level officers (BLOs) are under immense pressure on them. A Kerala BLO’s suicide also sparked protests in the state and neighbouring Tamil Nadu.
In her letter, the Bengal CM said, “The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous. The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning or clear communication has crippled the process from day one.”
SIR ‘near impossible’ for BLOs: Mamata
Highlighting “critical gaps” in training, and lack of clarity on mandatory documentation, she it was “near-impossible” for BLOs to meet voters during their livelihood hours. Banerjee added the entire SIR exercise has become “structurally unsound”.
She also flagged the “human cost of SIR mismanagement”, calling it “unbearable”. Mamata also cited the death of an anganwadi worker serving as a booth-level officer in Mal, Jalpaiguri. She died by suicide, “reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure”.
“Under these circumstances, I strongly urge and expect immediate corrective action,” Banerjee added.