SIR exercise arbitrary, only aims to delete voters: Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee

Overview On December 9, 2025 , Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee voiced strong concerns regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) . He argued that the exercise disproportionately focuses on deleting electors rather than authenticating them, potentially undermining the democratic process. Key Developments Concerns Regarding Voter Deletion Mr. Banerjee questioned the rationale behind removing voters whose names appeared in the 2024 voter list but not in 2002 . He emphasized that deleting voters would negatively impact the integrity of elections. He stated, "What is the point of an election if you delete voters?" Criticism of ECI's Approach Delimitation: Mr. Banerjee criticized the poll authority’s approach to delimitation, suggesting it may not be fair or transparent. Digital Verification: He also raised concerns about the use of digital applications to verify family relationships in voter lists, arguing that the definition of 'relative' is being applied too rigidly. Allegations of Excessive Workload and Tragedies Mr. Banerjee claimed that excessive workload given to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal led to a series of unfortunate incidents. He cited specific figures: Deaths: 20 persons died. Critical Illness: 5 fell critically ill. Suicide Attempts: 3 attempted to end their lives. He further stated that similar incidents were reported in other states, including Uttar Pradesh (10 cases) , Madhya Pradesh (9 cases) , Gujarat (6 cases) , Rajasthan (3 cases) , Kerala (1 case) , and Tamil Nadu (2 cases) . UPSC Relevance This news highlights critical aspects of the electoral process in India and is relevant to GS2 (Polity and Governance) . The concerns raised by Mr. Banerjee touch upon issues of voter inclusion, electoral fairness, and the role of the Election Commission of India . Understanding these issues is crucial for Mains answers related to electoral reforms and democratic governance. Important Facts Special Intensive Revision (SIR): Aimed at revising electoral rolls. Kalyan Banerjee: Trinamool Congress MP who raised concerns. Booth Level Officers (BLOs): Officials responsible for voter registration at the grassroots level. December 9, 2025: Date of the discussion in the Lok Sabha.