KOLKATA, India — A staggering scandal has hit West Bengal’s electoral system. The state’s official voter list includes the names of an astonishing 4.7 million deceased individuals. This massive Bengal Voter List Fraud was revealed during a recent high-level meeting.
The data came to light following discussions last Wednesday. West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manoj Kumar Agarwal, met with officials from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
Details of the Deceased Voter Count
The analysis covered data collected from January 2009 up to the present day. The figures clearly show the scale of the error.
Here is the breakdown of the deceased individuals still registered:
- 3.4 million deceased voters who had valid Aadhaar cards linked to their identity.
- 1.3 million deceased voters identified who did not have Aadhaar cards recorded in the system.
This suggests major flaws in the electoral roll maintenance over the past fifteen years. Therefore, an immediate cleanup is essential.
Why the Revision is Critical
West Bengal currently has 76 million voters, according to the 2025 electoral roll. The state is engaged in a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. The Election Commission of India (ECI) mandated this action. They instructed all state CEOs to coordinate with the UIDAI. This partnership aims to verify the data and locate all inconsistencies.
A senior official confirmed the CEO’s office received numerous complaints. These complaints included names of fake, deceased, and absent voters. There were also reports of duplicate entries. Because of these issues, the UIDAI data on deceased citizens is vital. It will help officials flag incorrect entries and ensure their removal.
New Tools to Combat Bengal Voter List Fraud
Election registration officers (EROs) will soon have extended authority. The draft voter list will be published on December 9. If an applicant uses a name removed from the Aadhaar database, the ERO can take action. They have the power to summon the applicant for personal verification.
Officials are also using financial information. Most Aadhaar cards are linked to bank accounts. Banks have shared details about accounts with outdated Know Your Customer (KYC) information. This crucial bank data helps identify deceased individuals whose names remain on the voter list.
TMC Raises Allegations of Conspiracy
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) has sharply criticized the process and the UIDAI’s involvement. The party pointed out a contradiction. The UIDAI previously claimed it does not keep data on deactivated Aadhaar cards. Consequently, the TMC questioned how the UIDAI is providing such detailed facts to the ECI now. The party alleges this is a “conspiracy to delete the names of legitimate voters through the back door.” They demand transparency in the electoral process.
In a related political development, the SIR process has even touched the higher judiciary. A counting form related to the SIR was reportedly delivered to the residence of Supreme Court Justice Jaimallya Bagchi. Justice Bagchi is currently handling cases concerning the SIR process. His home is situated in Kolkata’s Gol Park area.
