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Did SIR Impact West Bengal result? What Election Commission Data Says
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal sparked fierce opposition and protests before the 2026 Assembly elections. Post-election Election Commission data shows substantial deletions and notable post-SIR additions, with several constituencies experiencing both, yet many of the high-deletion areas still voting for parties that opposed the process. Turnout was exceptionally high in several constituencies, complicating claims of disenfranchisement.
Why It Matters
The data challenges the narrative that SIR uniformly disenfranchised certain groups and shows a dynamic revision with deletions followed by substantial additions, influencing political outcomes in nuanced ways.
Timeline
7 Events
Razor-thin and large-margin results across constituencies
May 8, 2026
Several contests were decided by razor-thin margins: Rajarhat New Town won by BJP by 316 votes, Satgachhia by 401 votes, and others like Raina, Jangipara and Indus by margins below 1,000. In contrast, several seats delivered landslide victories for the BJP, including Matigara-Naxalbari by over 1.04 lakh votes, with sizable margins in Dabgram-Fulbari and English Bazar. The Trinamool Congress also secured dominant wins in Canning Purba and Metiaburuz.
Turnout and female participation amid SIR context
May 8, 2026
Polling data shows exceptionally high turnout in several constituencies: Bhangar 98.07%, Canning Purba 98.02%, Sitalkuchi 97.97%, with Minakhan and Haroa also crossing 97% turnout. Female turnout was also very high in several constituencies, including Raghunathganj (97.93%), Sitalkuchi, Bhagawangola, Canning Purba and Bhangar (all over 97%). Many of these areas were won by the Trinamool Congress.
Post-SIR additions indicate restoration or later documentation
February 28, 2026
The same constituencies that saw large deletions also recorded notable post-SIR additions, illustrating that many names removed earlier were restored or completed documentation later, reinforcing the view that the revision remained a dynamic process.
Post-SIR additions begin, with key constituencies showing large additions
February 28, 2026
Election Commission data shows additions of eligible electors after the final SIR list between February 28, 2026 and the last date of nomination. Notable additions include Sujapur with 1.14 lakh, Raninagar with nearly 76,000, Harischandrapur with over 74,000, Chanchal with more than 72,000 and Ratua with over 71,000 additions. The data suggests that many voters removed earlier completed documentation or were restored after adjudication.
Constituencies with the lowest deletions and BJP wins
February 2026
The constituencies with the smallest deletions—Sabang, Khejuri, Bhagabanpur, Raipur and Katulpur—saw deletions ranging only between 8,000 and 9,000 electors, and all five were won by the BJP.
Highest deletions during SIR concentrated in Malda and Murshidabad belt
February 2026
EC data shows the largest deletions during the SIR exercise occurred in constituencies concentrated in the Malda and Murshidabad belt: Sujapur 1.50 lakh deletions, Raghunathganj 1.30 lakh, Samserganj 1.25 lakh, Ratua 1.23 lakh and Suti 1.20 lakh deletions. Opposition parties had alleged targeted deletions in minority-heavy areas.
SIR controversy precedes polling as parties allege disenfranchisement
February 2026
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls drew fierce opposition from the Trinamool Congress and several other parties, who claimed the revision would disenfranchise minorities, migrants and economically weaker voters. Protests occurred across West Bengal, and critics pressed the Election Commission over the process, arguing that lakhs of legitimate voters could be deleted from the rolls.