The Election Commission of India (ECI) informed the Supreme Court that over 37 lakh appeals from West Bengal's SIR process remain pending, while opposing TMC's plea for re-polls in 31 constituencies. The Commission argued that the revision did not materially affect electoral outcomes.
ECI Opposes Fresh Polls in 31 Bengal Seats
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has opposed a plea by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien seeking fresh elections in 31 West Bengal assembly constituencies. The plea arose from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, during which 37,05,235 appeals remain pending before Appellate Tribunals as of 2026, with only 1,26,194 disposed of.
In its submission to the Supreme Court, the ECI stated that the pendency of appeals did not compromise the integrity of the electoral process or results. It emphasized that the SIR, while extensive, functioned within statutory frameworks and did not lead to demonstrable inaccuracies affecting election outcomes. The Commission rejected claims that discrepancies warranted re-polling in any constituency.
The matter is part of broader scrutiny over electoral roll revisions in West Bengal, with political parties raising concerns about voter inclusion and exclusion. However, the ECI’s position underscores administrative continuity and the functional separation between post-revision appeals and electoral validity. Practitioners should note that challenges to election results on grounds of roll revision pendency face a high threshold of proving material impact on results.
