West Bengal Prepares for Voter List Revision Amid Controversy in Bihar

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, July 11, 2025, Kolkata :  After Bihar, West Bengal has now embarked on the process of revising its voter list, which has sparked significant political controversy in the neighboring state. While the revision process is underway in Bihar, opposition parties have raised serious concerns, and a legal petition has been filed with the Supreme Court. The controversy in Bihar has led many to believe that the revision model implemented there will soon be adopted across the country, with West Bengal expected to follow suit.

According to reports from the Economic Times, the West Bengal State Election Commission (CEO) is already making extensive internal preparations for the revision, despite not yet receiving an official notification from the Election Commission of India (ECI). Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal confirmed that while his office has not received any formal communication, preparations are being carried out so that work can commence as soon as the notification arrives. It is anticipated that the revision process will begin in August and continue until October, with a potential summary revision taking place later in the year, between November and December.

Sources indicate that the revision in West Bengal is expected to follow a model similar to that of Bihar, with the process likely starting around August 1 and concluding by the end of October. A pre-printed list of counting forms, along with specific documents, will be used for the voter list revision, mirroring the procedures in Bihar. However, based on the ongoing proceedings in the Supreme Court and subsequent legal advice, there could be additions to the list of required documents for verification purposes.

CEO Manoj Agarwal emphasized that although the timeline for the SIR (Summary Revision of the Voter List) is not yet fixed, his office is fully prepared to begin as soon as the official notification and guidelines from the Election Commission are received. Agarwal further pointed out that the filling of vacant posts at the CEO office and district level, including the Booth Level Officers (BLOs), is actively underway. So far, around 70 percent of districts in the state have already held meetings with Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and local police stations to select new polling stations. The state aims to complete this process by July 15, ensuring that all logistical aspects are in place for the upcoming revision.

As West Bengal gears up for this critical electoral task, the political climate remains charged, especially given the ongoing developments in Bihar. Political parties and citizens alike are watching closely, as the outcome of the voter list revisions could have significant implications for the state’s future elections.