Kapil Sibal Criticizes Election Commission Over Voter List Irregularities in West Bengal

Kapil Sibal, a senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP, has raised serious allegations against the Election Commission regarding irregularities in the voter list in West Bengal. He claims that over 96% of names were improperly removed, citing data from appeals resolved by election tribunals. Following the resignation of Justice T.S. Shivganam, Sibal's comments highlight concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The Supreme Court has directed that appeals from those excluded from the voter list be prioritized, emphasizing the need for urgent hearings ahead of the assembly elections. This situation raises significant questions about the electoral practices in the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 15:51 IST

Allegations of Voter List Manipulation

On Saturday, Kapil Sibal, a senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP, directed his criticism towards the Election Commission, alleging irregularities in the removal of names from the voter list in West Bengal. He referenced data related to appeals resolved by an election tribunal.

In a post on social media, Sibal highlighted the role of Justice T.S. Shivganam, the former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, who was part of one of the 19 appellate tribunals handling appeals from individuals excluded under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal. Sibal claimed that a significant majority of these appeals were ruled in favor of the appellants, stating that out of 1,777 appeals, 1,717 were approved.

High Percentage of Incorrect Removals

Interpreting the statistics, the Rajya Sabha MP asserted that over 96% of the names were improperly removed from the voter list, implying a serious flaw in the process. He remarked, "More than 96% of names were wrongly deleted. Long live the Chief Election Commissioner! Just like the BJP won!" These comments followed Justice T.S. Shivganam's resignation from the appellate tribunal on Thursday.

Previously, the Supreme Court had instructed the appellate tribunals to prioritize hearings for cases involving individuals excluded from the voter list during the SIR exercise, especially for those who indicated an urgent need for hearings ahead of the ongoing assembly elections. A bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud also granted individuals the freedom to approach the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court with their grievances.

Judicial Guidance for Appellants

The court stated that appellants and other stakeholders are free to contact the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court for administrative matters. Furthermore, if judicial intervention is necessary, they can also reach out to the Chief Justice. The appellate tribunals may prioritize the hearings of those whose names were not included in the SIR and who have filed appeals, particularly for those who can demonstrate the urgency of their cases.