Voter roll revisions in West Bengal trigger concerns among civil service officers as the Election Commission begins hearings on proposed deletions ahead of the 2026 polls.

Concerns have surfaced in West Bengal after the Election Commission of India began hearings on Saturday over large-scale deletions proposed in the state’s draft electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 elections. Officials said the draft list identifies over 58 lakh entries for removal, citing reasons such as deaths, migration, prolonged absence, and duplication.

A section of West Bengal Civil Service officers has flagged procedural unease, pointing to the use of centralized software that automatically marks discrepancies and issues notices. They argue this process sidelines Electoral Registration Officers, who are legally mandated to exercise independent judgment under election law.

The issue has also drawn sharp political reactions, with leaders from the Trinamool Congress alleging institutional overreach. The Commission, however, maintains that safeguards are in place, noting that hearings are being conducted at more than 3,200 centers statewide, with a fixed timeline for objections and corrections before the final rolls are published next month.

Analysis: With elections approaching, the episode highlights the growing tension between technology-driven governance and statutory decentralised authority. For voters, the immediate priority is to verify their names early and attend hearings if flagged.