Of 27 lakh deleted West Bengal voters, 22 lakh have filed appeals: Election Commission to Supreme Court

Polity & Governance - Electoral Reforms & Election Commission · 20 September 2026 · Based on Indian Express (original report)

Must read — 2 past UPSC questions on this theme (Prelims GS-1 2017, Mains GS-2 2018).

2-minute summary

The Election Commission (EC) informed the Supreme Court that out of 27.16 lakh voters deleted in West Bengal during a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), over 22.21 lakh have filed appeals before appellate tribunals. The unprecedented revision process was ordered by the Supreme Court in February 2026, utilizing judicial officers to adjudicate logical discrepancies flagged by the EC's algorithm. While approximately 38.31 lakh total appeals were filed regarding inclusions and exclusions, the massive volume of challenges highlights ongoing friction surrounding electoral rolls. The EC also defended its actions against petitions seeking to invalidate election results due to voter roll discrepancies, reiterating that under the Representation of the People Act, election outcomes cannot be challenged based on electoral roll faults except through formal election petitions.

Why it's in the news

The Election Commission submitted a formal reply to the Supreme Court detailing that 82% of deleted voters in West Bengal have filed appeals following a massive judicial adjudication drive during the Special Intensive Revision.

Facts to remember

• Over 22.21 lakh of the 27.16 lakh deleted voters in West Bengal filed appeals before appellate tribunals.
• The revision process was ordered by the Supreme Court in February 2026 using judicial officers.
• Article 324 vests superintendence, direction, and control of electoral rolls in the Election Commission.
• Article 329 bars courts from interfering in electoral matters except through formal election petitions.

Background and context

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal stemmed from judicial interventions prompted by perceived trust deficits between the state government and the poll panel. The Supreme Court previously ordered judicial officers from West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha to scrutinize millions of electors flagged by algorithmic 'logical discrepancies'. Following extensive adjudications resulting in significant deletions, appellate tribunals were subsequently established by Supreme Court orders to review decisions and protect democratic franchise rights.

Constitutional provisions

• Article 324 — Vests the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and the Legislature of every State in the Election Commission.
• Article 329 — Bars interference by courts in electoral matters, stating that parliamentary constituencies can be questioned only by an election petition presented to such authority as provided by law.

Previous UPSC questions on this theme

• Prelims GS-1 2017 — Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only
• Mains GS-2 2018 — In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India?

Mains practice: Examine the constitutional role of the Election Commission of India in maintaining electoral roll integrity and discuss the challenges involved in balancing administrative efficiency with the right to franchise.

Introduction:

The Election Commission of India (ECI), under Article 324, is mandated with superintendence, direction, and control of elections, including the preparation of accurate and inclusive electoral rolls. Roll integrity forms the bedrock of a robust representative democracy.

Body:

• Mandate and Mechanism: The ECI uses periodic revisions, field verification, and technological tools (such as logical discrepancy algorithms) to weed out dead, duplicate, and absentee entries.

• Balancing Act and Challenges: Administrative cleansing exercises often risk disenfranchising genuine voters due to algorithmic errors or rigid verification frameworks, leading to massive appeals and litigation.

• Judicial Oversight: Recent interventions, such as judicial officer-led adjudications and appellate tribunals, highlight the tension between executive efficiency of the poll body and judicial safeguards for fundamental voting rights.

• Statutory Safeguards: The Representation of the People Acts provide clear statutory mechanisms for claims, objections, and post-election petitions, ensuring finality and legal certainty in election outcomes.

Conclusion:

Maintaining electoral roll integrity requires continuous refinement of technological tools, enhanced transparency, and robust grievance redressal mechanisms to ensure that administrative efficiency never compromises the foundational democratic right to vote.

Prelims practice questions

Q1. With reference to the electoral rolls in India, consider the following statements: 1. The superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. 2. Once an election process has commenced, the Constitution bars courts from intervening in electoral matters except through an election petition. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C. Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 324 of the Constitution, the ECI is responsible for preparing electoral rolls and conducting elections. Statement 2 is correct: Article 329 bars court interference in electoral matters, stipulating that elections can be challenged only via an election petition under the Representation of the People Act.

Q2. Under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950/1951, how can an election conducted on the basis of existing electoral rolls be legally questioned?

1. By submitting a memorandum to the President of India
2. By filing a public interest litigation (PIL) in the High Court
3. By filing a writ petition directly in the Supreme Court under Article 32
4. By filing an election petition before the prescribed authority

Answer: D. The Supreme Court has consistently held that elections conducted based on existing electoral rolls cannot be called into question due to faults in the rolls except by filing a formal election petition as provided under the Representation of the People Act.

Q3. Which Article of the Indian Constitution vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission?

1. Article 356
2. Article 320
3. Article 324
4. Article 370

Answer: C. Article 324 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment and powers of the Election Commission, including the superintendence, direction, and control of elections and electoral rolls.

Revision flashcards

• Which constitutional article vests the power of preparing electoral rolls in the ECI? Article 324 of the Constitution of India.
• What does Article 329 state regarding court interference in elections? It bars interference by courts in electoral matters and mandates that elections can only be questioned via an election petition.
• What does ASDD stand for in electoral roll revision terminology? Absentee, Shifted, Dead, and Duplicate entries.
• Which statute governs the filing of election petitions to challenge election results? The Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• Is the Election Commission a constitutional or statutory body? It is a permanent constitutional body established directly by Article 324 of the Constitution.