The Supreme Court of India on Monday sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding applications filed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders, who have raised concerns over alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, directed the ECI to submit its response within a week, given the urgency, and scheduled the next hearing for January 19, 2026.

TMC MPs Seek Extension for Filing Claims and Objections

The applications were filed by TMC MPs Derek O’Brien and Dola Sen in petitions challenging the deletion of over 5.8 million voters from the draft electoral roll published during the SIR process. The TMC leaders sought an extension of the January 15 deadline for submission of claims and objections, citing procedural irregularities that, they argue, have made compliance difficult for affected voters.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Derek O’Brien, argued that the West Bengal SIR process deviated sharply from standard ECI procedures followed in other states such as Bihar. He said, “WhatsApp messages are being sent to convey informal instructions to field-level officials, and notices have been issued to 13.6 million voters citing illogical discrepancies in voter details.”

Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing along with Sibal, pointed out the absurdity of some notices, stating, “Notice has been served upon individuals asking them why your father has six children.”

Court’s Directives to ECI

The Supreme Court clarified that it would not examine individual voter cases but is seeking a comprehensive response from the ECI on the issues raised. When the ECI requested two weeks to file a response, the bench insisted, “We will take up this matter next Monday. Let the reply to both applications be filed within this week.”

Alleged Irregularities in the SIR Exercise

In their plea, the TMC MPs highlighted several concerns:

1. Introduction of “Logical Discrepancies” Category – A new category reportedly identifying alleged mismatches or anomalies in voter details, including spelling variations, inconsistencies in parental or age information, and other data anomalies detected by software algorithms. The TMC alleged this had no statutory basis and was not formally communicated.
2. Use of Undisclosed Software – The plea claimed that much of the mapping process was conducted via software rather than through field verification by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), representing a departure from established ECI practices. In Bihar, for example, digitisation exercises were overseen directly by BLOs to ensure accuracy and data integrity.
3. Informal Instructions via WhatsApp and Oral Orders – The TMC contended that the ECI passed casual, undocumented instructions to field officials through WhatsApp groups and verbal directives, which contradicted formal SIR orders. Such instructions allegedly included marking voters as “uncollectable” after three visits, refusing receipts for documents, and limiting the presence of electors during hearings.
4. Cumbersome Hearing Procedures – The TMC raised concerns over hearings being conducted at district or sub-division levels, requiring electors to travel long distances, unlike Bihar, where hearings were conducted at village levels. Additionally, the requirement for migrant electors to be physically present was cited as a significant hurdle.
5. Rejection of Valid Documents – The TMC argued that Permanent Residence Certificates, Family Registers, and Gram Panchayat residence certificates, which are legally permissible, were being arbitrarily rejected.

Background and Context

The draft electoral roll in West Bengal was published on December 16, 2025, following the SIR exercise. A total of 58,20,898 names were deleted, reducing the draft roll to 7,08,16,616 voters from 7,66,37,529 after the previous Special Summary Revision in 2025.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had written to the Chief Election Commissioner on January 3, highlighting similar concerns regarding the deletion process and the challenges faced by voters, but no response was received, prompting the TMC to approach the Supreme Court. The final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on February 14, 2026.

TMC’s Concerns Over Democratic Process

The applications emphasize that the procedures followed in West Bengal struck at the core of democratic principles. By relying on digital algorithms and informal communication channels, the TMC argues that the ECI has created confusion and arbitrary outcomes, undermining the credibility of the voter list. The plea further contended that such deviations from standard SIR protocols, followed in other states, lacked transparency, auditability, and legal legitimacy, raising serious questions about fairness and impartiality.

Way Forward

The Supreme Court’s order ensures that the ECI responds promptly, allowing the court to evaluate the legitimacy and fairness of the SIR process before the February 14 deadline. The case highlights the growing intersection of digitisation, administrative discretion, and voter rights, placing the spotlight on how technological interventions in electoral processes must align with legal norms and procedural safeguards.

The matter will next be heard on January 19, 2026, giving the ECI a week to respond comprehensively to the allegations raised by the TMC leaders. The outcome could have significant implications for the upcoming elections in West Bengal, particularly regarding the integrity of the electoral roll and the participation of millions of affected voters.