Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday dismissed any reports of disagreement between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government over the proposed Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls.
Speaking to the media, Kumar said firmly, “There is no friction over the SIR in West Bengal.” He added that every constitutional body, including state governments, must perform its duties as mandated by the Constitution.
He emphasised that the ECI’s decision to proceed with SIR in 12 states and union territories reflects its statutory role, and that state governments will similarly fulfil their responsibilities of providing staff, security and logistical cover.
Kumar’s remarks came in response to questions about resistance from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Mamata Banerjee. The party has publicly opposed the revision, claiming it may target specific communities. It has also alleged that the roll-check is a disguised move to impose the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state.
The TMC is reportedly gearing up for a large ‘anti-SIR’ rally in Kolkata in early November, featuring Banerjee and her party colleagues. Banerjee has argued that many residents in flood- and landslide-affected parts of North Bengal cannot produce the required documentation. She added that the ongoing festival season further increases the difficulties in conducting the exercise.
Kumar rejected any notion of non-cooperation from state administrations, saying that reluctance to assist the roll-revision effort did not arise. He added that the ECI would issue additional instructions based on lessons learnt from its SIR in Bihar.
State election officials have already attended meetings in Delhi to brief on SIR preparedness, though the final schedule for West Bengal is yet to be notified.
Despite the public tension, the top electoral official underlined that constitutional mechanisms remain in place. He reiterated that the ECI and state governments share a joint responsibility to ensure electoral integrity. He also cited the law under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, to justify early roll revisions ahead of elections.
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