The Election Commission of India (EC) has taken stern action against election officials in West Bengal following the discovery of irregularities in the state’s electoral rolls. In a directive issued to district election officers (DEOs) in two districts, four government officers and a data entry operator have been ordered to be booked for allegedly adding fictitious voters to the electoral rolls and compromising the security of sensitive voter data. The move highlights the Commission’s increasing vigilance in safeguarding the integrity of elections, while also shedding light on the scale of inconsistencies that still exist in one of the country’s largest voter databases.

According to a senior official of the Election Commission, the DEOs, who also serve as district magistrates, of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore have been instructed to lodge First Information Reports (FIRs) against two Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), two Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and a data entry operator. The charges arise from serious lapses observed during a sample verification exercise conducted by the Commission on applications submitted by new voters in West Bengal during August 2025.

“The district magistrates of South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore have been directed to lodge FIRs against two EROs, two AEROs, and a data entry operator,” said the official. “These individuals were found to have added fictitious names to the voter list and allowed unauthorised access to sensitive electoral databases, thereby compromising the integrity of the election process.”

The Commission’s inquiry revealed that the EROs in question accepted an unusually high number of Form 6 applications, which are submitted by individuals seeking inclusion in the electoral rolls as new voters. The official sources indicated that many of these forms were allegedly submitted by fictitious individuals, raising serious concerns about potential manipulation of voter lists for political purposes. Further investigation showed that mandatory verification procedures, which are supposed to be carried out by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), were largely ignored in these cases. Verification at the booth level is a critical step in confirming the authenticity of a voter’s identity and residence. The failure to conduct these checks raises the possibility that the additions to the rolls were deliberately made without proper scrutiny.

Moreover, it was discovered that user access to ERO Net, the centralized system designed for managing electoral rolls, had been provided to unauthorized individuals. This breach of security protocol not only undermines the reliability of voter data but also exposes sensitive information to potential misuse. The Election Commission emphasized that such lapses amount to serious administrative and potentially criminal misconduct, warranting both suspension and legal action.

Following the directives from the EC, the West Bengal government suspended the four officers involved — two EROs and two AEROs. The data entry operator implicated in the irregularities was removed from election duties. However, FIRs, which are essential for initiating formal criminal proceedings, had not been lodged immediately, prompting renewed instructions from the Commission to ensure compliance.

“The EC had directed that officers involved should be suspended and disciplinary proceedings initiated without delay,” the official noted. “Additionally, FIRs must be lodged against the erring EROs and AEROs for actions that potentially constitute criminal misconduct. The casual data entry operator is also to be booked under the same provisions.”

The issue has brought to the forefront concerns about the integrity of electoral rolls in West Bengal, which has one of the largest voter populations in the country. According to Commission data, a total of 16.3 million entries were initially flagged for logical discrepancies, which include duplicate entries, minor spelling errors, and inconsistent personal information. Following scrutiny and corrections, this number has now been reduced to approximately 9.4 million, indicating progress but also highlighting the persistent scale of inconsistencies that election authorities must contend with.

A senior EC official elaborated on the process, explaining that logical discrepancies are errors that can often be resolved through verification and cross-checking of voter details. “Minor issues such as spelling mistakes, mismatched addresses, and other clerical errors have been systematically reviewed and corrected. This has reduced the number of voters with logical discrepancies from 16.3 million to around 9.4 million,” the official said. However, the deliberate inclusion of fictitious voters goes beyond clerical errors and represents a serious breach of electoral integrity.

Election experts have pointed out that lapses of this kind can have far-reaching implications, particularly in constituencies with closely contested elections. Adding fictitious names to voter rolls can distort the democratic process, undermine public confidence in electoral outcomes, and potentially enable manipulation of election results. By issuing strict directives and ordering FIRs, the Election Commission has sought to send a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated.

The West Bengal incident also highlights systemic vulnerabilities in electoral management, particularly the reliance on human oversight at various stages of voter registration. While digital tools like ERO Net are intended to streamline and secure voter roll management, unauthorized access and insufficient monitoring can compromise these systems. The Commission’s action underscores the need for robust internal controls, strict supervision of officers handling sensitive data, and regular audits to detect and correct irregularities before they escalate.

Political parties in the state are likely to view these developments through their respective lenses, given the high stakes involved in West Bengal elections. Allegations of fictitious voter additions have historically been a source of contention and political controversy, often triggering debates on electoral fairness and transparency. By taking swift administrative and legal measures, the Election Commission aims to depoliticize the issue and reinforce institutional accountability, emphasizing that electoral law applies equally to all individuals, regardless of rank or political affiliation.

The FIRs and suspensions also serve as a cautionary tale for election officials across the country. With electoral rolls forming the backbone of India’s democratic process, any compromise in their accuracy can have serious consequences. Ensuring data security, verifying voter information diligently, and preventing unauthorized access are fundamental responsibilities of every election official. Failure to adhere to these standards can now result in both administrative penalties and criminal prosecution, as demonstrated in the West Bengal case.

As investigations proceed, the focus will be on identifying the full extent of the irregularities, verifying the authenticity of voter entries, and holding those responsible accountable. The Commission has made it clear that disciplinary action and legal proceedings will continue until all breaches are addressed. The outcome of these inquiries will be closely monitored by stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, and voters themselves, who have a vested interest in the credibility of the electoral process.

In conclusion, the case of fictitious voters in West Bengal underscores the critical importance of vigilance, accountability, and procedural rigor in maintaining the integrity of India’s electoral system. The reduction of logical discrepancies from 16.3 million to 9.4 million demonstrates the Commission’s ongoing efforts to clean up voter rolls, but the deliberate addition of fictitious names represents a more serious threat that requires immediate legal and administrative intervention. The FIRs against the officials involved, coupled with suspensions and removal from duty, reflect a decisive response by the Election Commission to safeguard democratic processes and uphold public trust. Moving forward, this case serves as both a warning and a precedent, reinforcing the message that manipulation of electoral rolls will be met with strict consequences, and that every effort will be made to ensure that elections in West Bengal, and across India, remain free, fair, and credible.

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