Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take immediate steps to ensure the integrity of the ongoing voter list revision process in the state. In a formal submission made to the Commission, Adhikari demanded that all domicile certificates issued after July 25 be excluded from consideration for inclusion in the electoral roll.
According to Adhikari, there is growing evidence that thousands of domicile certificates have been issued across various districts in West Bengal under questionable circumstances. He alleged that these documents are being generated in bulk by local authorities with the intent to influence the voter list in favor of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of crucial upcoming elections.
Adhikari emphasized that the sudden surge in certificate issuance raises doubts about the authenticity and legality of the process. He expressed concern that the practice is part of a larger strategy to manipulate voter demographics in key constituencies. “It is imperative that the Election Commission intervenes to prevent the misuse of government machinery for political gain,” he stated.
The BJP leader’s appeal comes amid an ongoing special summary revision of electoral rolls, during which new voters can register and corrections can be made. The process is particularly important in the run-up to the 2026 West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections, and all political parties are closely monitoring developments related to voter registration.
Adhikari also raised questions about the lack of proper verification procedures in the issuance of domicile certificates. He claimed that there are instances where certificates have been issued without the required background checks, allowing ineligible individuals to be added to the voter rolls.
In his complaint, he requested the Commission to direct all District Magistrates and electoral officers to withhold or verify certificates issued after July 25 before approving them for voter list inclusion. He further urged the ECI to deploy independent observers to monitor the process in sensitive regions.
The Election Commission has taken note of the submission and sources within the body indicated that the matter will be reviewed in detail. While no formal action has been announced yet, officials confirmed that reports will be sought from relevant state authorities regarding the timeline and volume of certificate issuance.
In the past, voter list revisions in West Bengal have often been contentious, with multiple parties alleging irregularities. This latest complaint by Suvendu Adhikari adds another layer of complexity to an already politically charged atmosphere.
As the revision process continues, the Election Commission faces the challenge of balancing accessibility for genuine voters while preventing manipulation and fraud. Political observers expect more such interventions from opposition parties as the state moves closer to its next electoral cycle.
The ECI has reiterated its commitment to a free and fair election process and is expected to respond with clarity in the coming days.
