New Delhi : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Supreme Court that there are deliberate and well-planned efforts underway to derail, cripple, and obstruct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal.
In an additional affidavit submitted to the apex court, the ECI described the situation as a matter of serious constitutional concern. It stated that while the SIR exercise is currently being conducted smoothly in 12 states across the country, the kind of resistance, obstruction, and intimidation faced by election officials is unique to West Bengal.
According to the Election Commission, the alleged interference is not limited to isolated individuals. The affidavit claims that senior functionaries of the state government, members of the ruling party, and elected representatives are actively involved in attempts to disrupt the SIR process.
The ECI told the court that “every possible tactic—legal or illegal—is being employed” to stall or sabotage the revision exercise. It further argued that the continued obstruction amounts to a direct violation and non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s order dated January 19, 2026, which refused to stay the SIR process.
The affidavit notes that although the West Bengal government assured full cooperation in its response to the court, the ground reality stands in sharp contrast to those assurances. The Commission cited repeated instances of non-cooperation, intimidation, interference, and disruption, even after the Supreme Court’s clear directions.
The Election Commission also alleged that public statements and speeches by the Chief Minister, Members of Parliament, and senior leaders of the ruling party were aimed at intimidating election officials engaged in the SIR process.
Serious incidents were highlighted in the affidavit, including forced disruptions of legal hearings, attacks on hearing centers, destruction of government offices, burning of voter-submitted forms, and damage to official records documenting the progress of the SIR exercise. The Commission also reported threats and acts of violence against Booth Level Officers (BLOs), micro-observers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and other election staff.
The ECI pointed out that West Bengal is the only state where the Central Government had to intervene to provide security to the Chief Electoral Officer—an action that was not required in any other state undergoing SIR.
The affidavit further stated that after the Supreme Court declined to halt the SIR process, a coordinated campaign of non-cooperation was launched with the objective of obstructing a constitutional authority from discharging its lawful duties.
The Commission accused the West Bengal government of openly defying ECI directives, including failing to register FIRs against those who attacked or obstructed election officials, not acting on requests for transfers or suspensions of officials, and ignoring repeated instructions regarding the deployment of officers of the required rank.
The ECI has now directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of West Bengal to immediately register FIRs as requested and submit compliance reports. It has also instructed the Chief Secretary, the DGP, and all political and administrative authorities in the state to strictly implement the Commission’s directions and report compliance without delay.