CPIML general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya warns that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is disenfranchising the poor and migrants. He fears a similar model will be imposed in Bengal ahead of 2026 polls, creating a curated voter list favouring BJP and threatening universal franchise.
A flawed Special Intensive Revision of voter list in Bihar threatens to erase millions from voter rolls by prioritising matriculation certificates over accessible IDs. With low literacy, high poverty, and a large migrant population, the move risks disenfranchising Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, and women—undermining the very spirit of universal suffrage in Indian democracy.
eNewsroom, along with NGO Parijayee Shramik Aikya Mancha, uncovered the issue of duplicate voters in Bengal, raising alarm about electoral integrity. Despite their efforts, neither the NGO nor the media outlet received credit. Mamata Banerjee and the Election Commission later addressed the issue, but did not acknowledge the sources
Systemic Oversight or Targeted Action? Migrant workers from Bengal uncover duplicate voter IDs shared with individuals in Gujarat and Haryana, sparking alarm. Activists link this to the harassment of Bengali-speaking workers under false infiltration narratives. The issue exposes vulnerabilities in India’s electoral system, raising questions about fairness and accountability