NEW DELHI — Mamata Banerjee, the West Bengal chief minister, has renewed her demand that Chief Election Commissioner Vanish Kumar resign following a special investigation report (SIR) that the opposition claims was used to delete valid voters’ names and favour the BJP in the state.
Mamata’s protest to continue until CEC’s resignation
The opposition leader said the SIR was a tool to help the BJP capture Bengal and that the Election Commission’s actions were “unfair” and “biased”. She added that her protests would not end until the CEC stepped down. The call comes after the Election Commission announced the SIR in West Bengal to investigate alleged irregularities in the voter rolls.
Background of the SIR
The Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the SIR in West Bengal to examine claims that names of valid voters were removed from the electoral rolls. The report, which is a statutory review under the Representation of the People Act, is intended to identify and rectify errors in the voter database. The ECI said the SIR was part of its routine audit of electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Opposition’s allegations
According to an independent report by ThePrint, the SIR was conducted with the objective of helping the BJP gain an advantage in the state by deleting names of voters who were likely to vote against it. The report also noted that the SIR was carried out after a complaint filed by a West Bengal-based political party. Mamata Banerjee said the investigation was a “political weapon” and that the ECI was “playing into the BJP’s hands”.
ECI’s response
The Election Commission has not released a formal statement on the allegations. In a press release dated 24 September, the ECI said it had initiated the SIR to maintain the integrity of the electoral rolls and that it would act on any findings that could affect the fairness of elections. The ECI’s spokesperson said the commission was “independent and impartial” and that it would not be influenced by any political party.
Political fallout
In a statement issued by the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Mamata Banerjee said that the SIR was a “political ploy” and that the CEC’s resignation was necessary to restore public confidence in the electoral process. The AITC said it would continue to protest until the CEC resigned. The demand was echoed by several opposition leaders in the state.
Implications for the upcoming elections
The SIR has raised concerns about the integrity of the voter rolls in West Bengal, a state that is a key battleground for the BJP and the AITC. The Election Commission’s decision to conduct a SIR in the state comes at a time when the national government is preparing for the 2026 general elections. The ECI has said that it will publish the findings of the SIR after a thorough review.
Legal framework
Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Election Commission has the authority to conduct investigations into voter roll irregularities. A SIR is a statutory tool used to identify and correct errors in the electoral rolls. The commission is required to act on any findings that could affect the fairness of elections.
Conclusion
The call for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Vanish Kumar by Mamata Banerjee highlights the growing tension between the state government and the Election Commission. The outcome of the SIR and the response of the ECI will be closely watched as West Bengal prepares for the 2026 general elections.
