ECI expected to announce SIR dates today for 2026 poll-bound states, including Bengal
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Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is likely to announce the dates for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) today for states heading to Assembly elections in 2026, including West Bengal.
A press conference is scheduled at 4.30 p.m. at the ECI headquarters in New Delhi, where Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is expected to reveal the states selected for the immediate phase of the nationwide exercise.
While SIR will be conducted across India, the initial phase will focus on states with upcoming Assembly polls. These include West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Bihar has already completed its SIR ahead of its two-phase Assembly elections next month.
In West Bengal, the SIR process has sparked political controversy. The ruling Trinamool Congress opposes the exercise, alleging it is a covert attempt by the Union government and BJP to introduce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. The BJP counters that the opposition stems from fears that illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators may be removed from the electoral rolls.
The CPI(M)-led Left Front has supported the revision in principle but cautioned against the exclusion of genuine voters. Disputes have also arisen over the appointment of booth-level officers (BLOs) and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs).
West Bengal last conducted a Special Intensive Revision in 2002.
(Inputs from IANS)