TMC Claims Voter List Changes Impacted Election Results in West Bengal
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has raised concerns that changes made during the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list have significantly impacted election results in West Bengal. During a Supreme Court hearing, TMC leaders argued that the number of voters removed from the list was comparable to the margins of defeat in several constituencies. The Election Commission has countered these claims, stating that the proper course of action is through election petitions. The Supreme Court has allowed for new applications to be filed regarding these claims, emphasizing the need for a timely resolution of pending appeals. This situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding electoral integrity in the region.
| May 11, 2026, 19:02 IST
TMC's Allegations on Voter List Modifications
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) asserted on Monday that the recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list significantly influenced the election outcomes in certain assembly constituencies of West Bengal. This assertion was made during a hearing before the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. According to reports, TMC leader and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee indicated that the margin of victory for the BJP over TMC in 31 constituencies was less than the number of individuals removed from the voter list during the SIR process. He further noted that in several instances, the number of removed voters was nearly equal to the margin of defeat.
Details of the Claims
Banerjee highlighted a specific constituency where a candidate lost by 862 votes, despite over 5,432 names being deleted from the voter list. He claimed that the vote difference between TMC and BJP was approximately 3.2 million, with around 3.5 million appeals pending before appellate tribunals. The MP referenced a previous comment by Justice Bagchi, suggesting that if the margin of victory is less than the number of removed voters, a judicial inquiry may be warranted. The Election Commission countered these claims, stating that the appropriate remedy lies in filing an election petition, and that the commission can be held accountable for issues related to the SIR and appeals concerning the addition or removal of votes.
Supreme Court's Response
Supreme Court's Response
The Supreme Court bench indicated that former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and others could submit new applications regarding their claims. Justice Bagchi mentioned that any statements regarding the results that may have been significantly affected by the decisions in question would require a separate interim application (IA). Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy informed the bench that, at the current pace, it would take at least four years for appellate tribunals to resolve the appeals. The Chief Justice emphasized the need to prioritize the swift resolution of these appeals.