Voter Purge Crisis: 1.38 Crore Deleted from Rolls in Bihar and West Bengal Ahead of 2025-26 Elections

In a sweeping electoral roll revision, over 47 lakh voters in Bihar and nearly 91 lakh in West Bengal have been deleted from the voter lists during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, rendering them ineligible to vote in the upcoming 2025 and 2026 Assembly elections. The deletions, reported by The Hindu, have left lakhs of citizens in limbo as they scramble to prove their citizenship and eligibility.

The SIR, aimed at cleaning up electoral rolls, has sparked widespread concern among civil society groups and political parties. Affected voters describe a labyrinthine process of paperwork and repeated visits to government offices, often with little success. According to official figures, Bihar saw over 47 lakh names removed, while West Bengal's deletions approached 91 lakh. Critics argue that the exercise disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, raising questions about its fairness and transparency.

The mass deletions have ignited a political firestorm, with opposition parties accusing the ruling government of voter suppression ahead of crucial elections. Human rights organizations have called for an independent review of the SIR process, while the Election Commission maintains that the deletions were necessary to remove dead and duplicate entries. As the 2025 and 2026 elections approach, the fate of these disenfranchised voters remains uncertain, with potential legal challenges and protests on the horizon.