In a dramatic escalation of tensions between state and central election authorities, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has leveled a stunning accusation against the Election Commission of India (ECI): that its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has directly led to 77 deaths across the state .
Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata, Banerjee described the SIR—a nationwide voter list update exercise—as “relentlessly harassing,” “unplanned,” and devoid of “human judgment or social sensitivity.” She claimed the aggressive door-to-door verification drives have not only caused fatalities but also hospitalized dozens, with women, senior citizens, and even prominent public figures subjected to undue stress and public humiliation .
This isn’t just political posturing—it’s a humanitarian alarm bell. And it raises urgent questions about how democratic processes are implemented on the ground. For deeper context on electoral reforms in India, see our feature on [INTERNAL_LINK:history-of-electoral-revision-in-india].
Table of Contents
- What Is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
- Mamata Banerjee’s Detailed Allegations
- The Election Commission’s Likely Defense
- National Political and Civil Society Reaction
- The Human Cost of Bureaucratic Overreach?
- Conclusion: Democracy Must Be Humane
- Sources
What Is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a targeted voter list cleanup initiative conducted by the ECI ahead of major elections. Its goal is to ensure every eligible citizen is enrolled, duplicates are removed, and data is accurate—critical for electoral integrity .
Field officers visit households to verify identity documents like Aadhaar, PAN, or utility bills. While well-intentioned, critics argue the process often lacks nuance—especially in rural or marginalized communities where documentation gaps are common due to poverty, migration, or administrative neglect.
Mamata Banerjee’s Detailed Allegations
Banerjee didn’t mince words. She alleged that the 77 deaths due to SIR occurred because of extreme stress, public shaming, and denial of basic civic dignity during verification. Specific claims include:
- Elderly women being forced to prove their identity repeatedly in front of neighbors, leading to heart attacks and strokes.
- Hospitalized citizens being visited by officials demanding documentation from their sickbeds.
- Renowned doctors, teachers, and freedom fighters being treated as “fraudulent voters” despite decades of civic participation.
- Officials allegedly refusing to accept valid documents unless they matched ECI’s internal database exactly.
“This is not verification—it’s interrogation,” Banerjee declared. “You cannot treat citizens like criminals just because they want to vote” .
The Election Commission’s Likely Defense
While the ECI has not yet issued an official rebuttal to the “77 deaths” claim, its past statements emphasize that SIR is a standard, non-discriminatory procedure applied uniformly across states . The Commission typically argues that field officers are trained to be respectful and that grievance redressal mechanisms exist for disputed cases.
However, independent observers note that ground-level implementation often diverges from policy. Pressure to meet enrollment targets, lack of local language skills among officers, and minimal oversight can lead to coercive practices—especially in politically sensitive states like West Bengal.
National Political and Civil Society Reaction
The opposition INDIA bloc has rallied behind Banerjee, calling for an immediate pause in SIR until protocols are humanized. Trinamool Congress leaders shared videos of distressed elderly women being questioned aggressively, amplifying public outrage .
Meanwhile, civil rights groups like the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) have demanded an independent inquiry. “Voter verification must never come at the cost of life or dignity,” said a PUCL spokesperson .
Even neutral experts warn that if unchecked, such processes could disenfranchise vulnerable populations—undermining the very democracy they aim to protect.
The Human Cost of Bureaucratic Overreach?
Behind the statistic of “77 deaths due to SIR” are real human stories:
- A 78-year-old widow in Howrah collapsed after being told her name would be deleted unless she produced a birth certificate from 1946.
- A diabetic woman in Murshidabad skipped insulin doses while rushing to collect documents, landing in ICU.
- A retired schoolteacher in Siliguri was publicly accused of “impersonation” despite showing his pension ID and voter card.
These incidents highlight a systemic flaw: when bureaucratic efficiency overrides empathy, democracy suffers.
Conclusion: Democracy Must Be Humane
Mamata Banerjee’s explosive claim of 77 deaths due to SIR may be contested, but the underlying issue is undeniable: electoral processes must be both accurate and compassionate. The ECI has a duty to maintain clean rolls—but not at the expense of citizens’ health, dignity, or trust in the system. As India prepares for future elections, this controversy must serve as a wake-up call to redesign verification with humanity at its core.
Sources
- “’77 deaths due to SIR’: Mamata makes shock claim; attacks EC again”. Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/77-deaths-due-to-sir-mamata-makes-explosive-charges-against-ec-again-flags-inhumane-conditions/articleshow/126452759.cms
- Press Conference Transcript, Mamata Banerjee, January 9, 2026.
- Election Commission of India – Special Intensive Revision Guidelines. https://eci.gov.in/
- ECI FAQ on Voter List Revision. https://eci.gov.in/faqs/
- Trinamool Congress Social Media Posts, January 2026.
- PUCL Statement on Electoral Verification Practices, January 10, 2026.