'Zero Deaths In 20 Years?': SIR Data Whiplash In Bengal As Clean Booth Count Drops From 2,208 To 480

Last Updated:December 02, 2025, 22:35 IST

After the Election Commission sought detailed reports from the districts on Monday, revised data reached the EC on Tuesday

The steep reduction within 48 hours has prompted questions regarding how such a change occurred. (Representational pic: News18)

A significant discrepancy has emerged in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal. Initial data from district election officials indicated that 2,208 booths had reported no deceased, missing, relocated, or duplicate voters. All enumeration forms distributed in these booths had been fully completed and submitted.

After the Election Commission sought detailed reports from the districts on Monday, revised data reached the EC on Tuesday. The number of such booths has now fallen sharply from 2,208 to 480.

According to EC sources, the highest counts are in South 24 Parganas:

• Raydighi – 66

• Kulpi – 58

• Magrahat – 15

• Patharpratima – 20

The steep reduction within 24 hours has prompted questions regarding how such a change occurred. A section of the administration has attributed the variation to continuous data updates, although the development has nonetheless drawn scrutiny.

BJP’s central minister Sukanta Majumdar reacted to this. He said, “Yesterday, this information came to EC that more than 2,200 booths had all enumeration forms returned, which means nobody died or shifted from that booth. When EC asked for a report from the district collector, it was suddenly reduced to 480 booths. Is this magic? This can only happen in Bengal."

Separately, the commission has circulated a list highlighting verification issues. The highest number of pending cases involves progeny mapping, where voter verification is carried out through parents or grandparents. Voters whose names were not included in the 2002 electoral roll have been asked to undergo re-verification. Booths with a high proportion of non-verified cases have been directed to be rechecked by observers.

As of 5 pm on Tuesday, 46.20 lakh enumeration forms have been returned. The category-wise data is as follows:

• 22.28 lakh deceased

• 6.41 lakh missing

• 16.22 lakh relocated

• 1.05 lakh double entries

District-wise percentage of dead voters:

• Kolkata North: 6.91% (highest)

• Kolkata South: 6.06%

• North 24 Parganas: 3.47%

• South 24 Parganas: 3.25%

• West Medinipur: 2%

• East Medinipur: 1.4% (lowest)

In a parallel development, the commission has issued another letter to all district magistrates regarding polling stations located inside high-rise buildings. Districts have been instructed to report back by 6 December. According to EC sources, the initiative aims to improve voter turnout in apartment complexes and other concentrated residential areas.

News politics 'Zero Deaths In 20 Years?': SIR Data Whiplash In Bengal As Clean Booth Count Drops From 2,208 To 480

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