PolityGovernance
News 10 of 21

Election Commission's SIR Deletes 12.2 Lakh Voters in West Bengal; 36-50 Lakh Migrants Rush to Vote by April 29

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
18 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:36 lakh migrants (official)50 lakh migrants (unofficial)2.3 lakh deletions in Malda4.5 lakh deletions in Murshidabad2.2 lakh deletions in South 24 Parganas3.2 lakh deletions in North 24 Parganas
Bodies:Election Commission of India
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal led to high rates of voter deletions, particularly in districts with large migrant populations.

2.An estimated 36 lakh (official) to 50 lakh (unofficial) Bengali migrants working outside the state are returning at significant personal cost to vote in the Assembly elections on April 23 & 29, fearing permanent deletion from voter lists.

3.The issue has become politically charged, with parties making contrasting claims about arrangements for migrant return, while the migrants themselves view voting as an act of asserting their Indian identity against the 'Bangladeshi' label.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

This article highlights the critical intersection of election integrity, migrant rights, and federalism. Over 12 lakh voters were deleted in West Bengal during the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision, triggering a massive return of 36-50 lakh migrant workers from across India to vote in the state elections and protect their voter IDs, which are essential for employment and identity.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Estimated Bengali Migrants36 lakh (official) to 50 lakh (unofficial)
Voters Deleted in Malda2.3 lakh
Voters Deleted in Murshidabad4.5 lakh
Voters Deleted in North 24 Parganas3.2 lakh
Voters Deleted in South 24 Parganas2.2 lakh
West Bengal Election DatesApril 23 & 29, 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Estimated Bengali Migrants: 36 lakh (official) to 50 lakh (unofficial)
  • ›Voters Deleted in Malda: 2.3 lakh
  • ›Target this Data: Total voter deletions in four key districts: Malda (2.3L), Murshidabad (4.5L), South 24 Parganas (2.2L), North 24 Parganas (3.2L).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: The Election Commission of India (constituted under Article 324).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: The process of electoral roll revision under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The Election Commission of India, which conducts revisions of electoral rolls, is established under which Article of the Constitution?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news on electoral roll revision in West Bengal:

1. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a routine annual exercise conducted by the Election Commission in all states.

2. According to the article, the official state government estimate puts the number of Bengali migrants working outside the state at around 36 lakh.

3. The districts of Malda and Murshidabad saw the highest number of voter deletions during the SIR process.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

As per the article, what was the approximate number of voters deleted from the electoral rolls in Murshidabad district during the Special Intensive Revision?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason, as highlighted in the article, for migrant workers urgently returning to West Bengal to vote in the Assembly elections?

All 25 MCQs ▸
You finished this topic
Explore Related Topics
Related Current Affairs
Polity Current Affairs

Election Commission's SIR Deletes 13 Crore Names from Draft Rolls; Raises Questions on Population & Voting Rights

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has led to the deletion of 13 crore names from draft rolls, including nearly one-third of Delhi's electorate. This article by a former Chief Election Commissioner uses satire to highlight the absurdity of treating electoral roll deletions as a solution to India's population problem, while drawing parallels with the Assam NRC and warning of potential disenfranchisement of eligible citizens.

Polity Current Affairs

ECI Voter Roll Integrity Crisis: Right to Vote vs Software, Form 6 Changes Under Scrutiny

An Indian Express investigation reveals that two Election Commissioners objected to key decisions on electoral rolls, raising constitutional questions about the right to vote being subordinated to software and bureaucratic rules. The article, written by RJD MP in Rajya Sabha, warns against the 'bureaucratisation of citizen’s right to vote' and highlights the 97 Goa voters left out due to software limitations.

Polity Current Affairs

Tamil Nadu Assembly Resolution: Freeze Lok Sabha at 543 Seats, Implement 33% Women's Quota from 2029

The Tamil Nadu Assembly has passed a resolution demanding a permanent freeze of Lok Sabha seats at 543 and implementation of 33% women's reservation from 2029, rejecting any linkage to delimitation. This highlights the ongoing north-south divide over representation and the stalled women's quota implementation.

Polity Current Affairs

Election Commission's SIR Deletes 13.37 Crore Names from Draft Rolls; Delhi Deletion Rate Highest at 32.8%

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has resulted in deletion of over 13 crore names across 30 states/UTs, with Delhi recording the highest deletion rate of 32.8%. This is the first intensive revision in two decades, and the Supreme Court has upheld the SIR order. For UPSC aspirants, this is critical for understanding electoral reforms, the role of the Election Commission, and the legal framework of voter registration.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Upholds EC's SIR, Citizenship Under MHA; 13 Crore Deletions, Aadhaar Alternative Proposed

The Supreme Court upheld the EC's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which deleted over 13 crore names, but clarified that citizenship determination is solely under the Ministry of Home Affairs. This raises critical debates on voter rights, due process, and the viability of Aadhaar-based verification as a cost-effective, inclusive alternative to house-to-house surveys.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Landmark Judgments: From Basic Structure to Privacy - 80 Years of Rights & Freedoms

A compilation of landmark Supreme Court judgments from 1973 to 2019 that shaped fundamental rights, gender equality, privacy, and democracy in India. Essential for understanding constitutional evolution and judicial activism.

Polity Current Affairs

ECI Freezes Trinamool Congress Name & Symbol: 41% West Bengal Voters Affected, 'Party Theft' Alleged

ECI on September 17, 2026 froze the name and symbol of the Trinamool Congress due to rival faction claims. This action affects over 2.60 crore voters (41% of West Bengal electorate) and has been accused by opposition parties as 'party theft' and a sign of democratic decline, raising serious questions about the neutrality of the Election Commission.

Polity Current Affairs

EC Data: 22.21 Lakh West Bengal Excluded Voters Filed SIR Appeals in SC

The Election Commission revealed in the Supreme Court that over 22.21 lakh voters excluded during West Bengal's electoral roll revision have appealed their removal. This case is crucial for understanding the EC's powers, electoral roll accuracy, and the judicial oversight of election processes—key topics for UPSC Polity and State PSC exams.