More than 2.43 lakh of the total 10.04 lakh applications for enrolment in the electoral rolls have been rejected, with the highest number of rejections reported from the bordering districts of North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and South 24 Parganas, according to data from the West Bengal Chief Election Officer’s (CEO) office.
The data was reviewed by CEO Manoj Agarwal while assessing electoral enrolment preparedness (between June 1 and August 7), ahead of a crucial meeting of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar with CEOs across the country on September 10.
The highest number of rejections were from North 24 Parganas (30,815), Murshidabad (28,533), South 24 Parganas (25,132), Nadia (14,108), Malda (12,788), and Cooch Behar (11,209). Hooghly also saw 15,457 rejections, though it is not a bordering district, officials told ET. Opposition BJP has repeatedly raised concerns about bogus voters in bordering areas.
Data shows around 25% of applications were rejected in this period. A total of 3.46 lakh voters were enrolled in the electoral rolls, while verification of 2.68 lakh applications is still under process. Another 1.3 lakh applications remain unprocessed due to absence of hearings and other reasons, a top official said.
Interestingly, during March 1–May 31, 2025, almost 50% of the Form 6 applications for new voter enrolment were rejected in Bengal. Out of 2.33 lakh applications, 1,16,641 were rejected while 1,16,329 were accepted. North 24 Parganas recorded the highest rejections at 14,172, followed by South 24 Parganas (13,581).
CEO Manoj Agarwal held a review meeting with officials on Saturday ahead of the September 10 ECI meeting. Another meeting is planned on Monday with Assistant District Magistrates (ADMs), Organising Commissioners (Elections), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). Officials are expected to provide feedback on the number of voters, polling booths, booth rationalisation, and data from the 2002 SIR for their respective districts and assemblies.
With assembly polls due in 2026, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has opposed the SIR and said she will not allow deletion of a single voter’s name. She has alleged that BJP is trying to bring NRC in the name of SIR. The BJP, however, has demanded SIR, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari coining the slogan, “No vote–no SIR.”
Add Now!
The data was reviewed by CEO Manoj Agarwal while assessing electoral enrolment preparedness (between June 1 and August 7), ahead of a crucial meeting of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar with CEOs across the country on September 10.
The highest number of rejections were from North 24 Parganas (30,815), Murshidabad (28,533), South 24 Parganas (25,132), Nadia (14,108), Malda (12,788), and Cooch Behar (11,209). Hooghly also saw 15,457 rejections, though it is not a bordering district, officials told ET. Opposition BJP has repeatedly raised concerns about bogus voters in bordering areas.
Data shows around 25% of applications were rejected in this period. A total of 3.46 lakh voters were enrolled in the electoral rolls, while verification of 2.68 lakh applications is still under process. Another 1.3 lakh applications remain unprocessed due to absence of hearings and other reasons, a top official said.
Interestingly, during March 1–May 31, 2025, almost 50% of the Form 6 applications for new voter enrolment were rejected in Bengal. Out of 2.33 lakh applications, 1,16,641 were rejected while 1,16,329 were accepted. North 24 Parganas recorded the highest rejections at 14,172, followed by South 24 Parganas (13,581).
CEO Manoj Agarwal held a review meeting with officials on Saturday ahead of the September 10 ECI meeting. Another meeting is planned on Monday with Assistant District Magistrates (ADMs), Organising Commissioners (Elections), and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). Officials are expected to provide feedback on the number of voters, polling booths, booth rationalisation, and data from the 2002 SIR for their respective districts and assemblies.
With assembly polls due in 2026, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has opposed the SIR and said she will not allow deletion of a single voter’s name. She has alleged that BJP is trying to bring NRC in the name of SIR. The BJP, however, has demanded SIR, with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari coining the slogan, “No vote–no SIR.”
Add 
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
