New Delhi:The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has raised serious concerns before the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging multiple fatalities linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. During a meeting in New Delhi on Friday, party leaders claimed that 40 people have died as a consequence of the process, prompting them to call for accountability from the poll body.
A 10-member delegation of the TMC, led by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, held discussions with the full bench of the ECI. The group included several senior Members of Parliament such as Mahua Moitra, Satabdi Roy, Kalyan Banerjee, Pratima Mondal, Sajda Ahmed and Dola Sen. During the meeting, the delegation accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of being responsible for the alleged loss of lives and stated that he had “blood on his hands,” according to their account following the interaction.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, O’Brien said that the party placed five major questions before the Commission regarding the SIR exercise. However, he stated that none of those queries received a response from the Chief Election Commissioner. He insisted that the concerns brought forward by the TMC required urgent attention and could not be ignored while the drive continued across the state.
As part of the submission, Mahua Moitra handed over a list to the poll authorities that reportedly contained the names of individuals the party claims to be victims of the ongoing verification work for the voter list. The party stated that the deaths were directly linked to intense pressure and challenging work conditions imposed on those responsible for carrying out the door-to-door verification process.
The TMC delegation argued that booth-level officers and staff have been compelled to undertake extensive responsibilities during the electoral roll revision. According to the party, the reported deaths are evidence of an unsafe working environment that has not been adequately addressed by the authorities.
The Election Commission, however, rejected the allegations. Officials dismissed the claims as lacking evidence and described them as unsubstantiated. The ECI urged the TMC to refrain from making statements that could be interpreted as threats or politically motivated accusations against the Commission or its representatives.
Currently, the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is ongoing across several states and Union Territories. The ECI has maintained that the revision is part of routine administrative procedures aimed at maintaining updated and accurate voter records ahead of elections. It has repeatedly stressed that such exercises are essential for ensuring correctness in the democratic process.
Despite this stance from the Commission, the TMC has insisted that accountability must be enforced, especially if the reported deaths are proven to be connected to the duties assigned under the SIR. The party has demanded immediate measures to address safety concerns of booth-level officers and other staff members involved in the electoral roll verification.
The TMC delegation also expressed fears that if appropriate steps are not taken, additional casualties could follow. They reiterated that the Election Commission must take responsibility and demonstrate sensitivity toward those working on the ground to ensure that no further lives are put at risk.
As of now, the ECI has not announced any inquiry or additional actions in response to the claims raised by the TMC. The issue remains a point of contention, with the party continuing to push for acknowledgment and corrective measures from the Commission.
