Over 58 Lakh Names Deleted As Poll Body Publishes Bengal's SIR Draft List
In a development likely to raise a political storm in poll-bound West Bengal, a total of 58 lakh names have been deleted from the state's draft voter list after the Special Intensive Revision to weed out duplication and errors. Out of these 58 lakh names, 24 lakh have been marked as "dead", 19 lakh as "relocated", 12 lakh as "missing", and 1.3 lakh as "duplicate".
The publication of the draft list marks the end of the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision. Those whose names have been incorrectly excluded from the draft list can now raise objections and request corrections. After addressing these objections, the final list will be published in February next year. The announcement of the Assembly polls in Bengal is expected after the publication of the final list. SIR was last conducted in Bengal in 2002.
