Electoral Roll Revision: ECI Revises West Bengal Electoral Roll Schedule Following Supreme Court Order

Electoral Roll Revision: Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a significant revision to the schedule for the ongoing electoral roll update in West Bengal. This change specifically impacts the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR) for the year 2026. The Commission has issued a formal letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, mandating strict compliance with the new timeline.

Immediate Action Following Court Order

The revision comes in response to an order passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court on February 9, 2026 (WP(C) No. 1089/2025). Acting swiftly, the Election Commission issued a notification (No.23/2025-ERS Vol.II) on February 10, 2026. The letter, signed by Secretary Pawan Diwan, refers to previous communications regarding the SIR and emphasizes that the revised programme is a direct result of the apex court’s intervention.

Revised Schedule for Electoral Roll Activity

The Commission has outlined a tight deadline for completing various stages of the voter list revision. The key dates are as follows:

• Hearing of Notices: Must be completed by February 14, 2026.
• Scrutiny of Documents & Disposal: The deadline for this crucial step is February 21, 2026.
• Rationalization of Polling Stations: Adjustments to polling stations must be finalized by February 25, 2026.
• Checking of Health Parameters: This quality check is scheduled to be completed by February 27, 2026.
• Final Publication of Electoral Roll: The definitive voter list for the state will be published on February 28, 2026.

Instructions to State Officials

Copies of this urgent directive have been forwarded to the Chief Secretary of the Government of West Bengal and other senior officials. The Commission has made it clear that adherence to this revised schedule is mandatory to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s direction.

This development is crucial for citizens awaiting the inclusion or correction of their names in the voter list, as the administrative machinery will now work on an accelerated timeline to meet the month-end deadline for the final publication.