Multiple complaints have been registered against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in South 24 Parganas district, as political tensions escalate ahead of assembly elections in West Bengal.Police confirmed that petitions were lodged on Friday alleging harassment of residents during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in the Trinamool Congress-ruled state. The complaints centre on claims that voters were subjected to undue pressure and intrusive verification processes during door-to-door enumeration drives linked to the revision exercise.
The Special Intensive Revision, conducted periodically by the Election Commission of India to update and cleanse voter lists, involves verification of names, addresses and eligibility details. Officials say the exercise is intended to remove duplications, deceased voters and ineligible entries while adding newly eligible citizens. With assembly polls due within months, the revision has assumed political sensitivity in a state known for fiercely contested elections.
Gyanesh Kumar, a former civil servant appointed as Chief Election Commissioner earlier this year, has overseen preparations for several upcoming state polls. His office has not issued a detailed public response to the specific complaints in South 24 Parganas, though senior Election Commission officials have maintained that all revision procedures are being carried out in accordance with established guidelines and under statutory supervision.
Local police authorities in South 24 Parganas acknowledged receipt of the complaints and said they would examine the allegations in line with due process. Officers indicated that the petitions include claims that field-level staff engaged in the revision asked voters to furnish additional documents beyond standard requirements and, in some instances, behaved in an intimidating manner. No arrests or formal charges had been announced at the time of writing.
The Trinamool Congress leadership has been sharply critical of aspects of the electoral roll verification exercise, arguing that any perception of bias or heavy-handedness could erode public trust in the electoral process. Party representatives in the district have said that vulnerable communities, including migrant workers and economically weaker households, fear that administrative hurdles could affect their names on the rolls. They have demanded transparency in the methodology and safeguards to ensure that genuine voters are not excluded.
Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, have countered that systematic revision of voter lists is essential to prevent irregularities. They have accused the state administration of politicising routine electoral procedures and seeking to cast doubt on the neutrality of central institutions. Party leaders have said that accurate rolls are fundamental to free and fair elections and have urged the Commission to continue its work without interference.
Election law experts note that Special Intensive Revisions are governed by the Representation of the People Act and related rules, which lay down procedures for claims, objections and appeals. Any individual whose name is proposed for deletion or correction is entitled to notice and an opportunity to respond. Final rolls are published after hearings at the local level, and aggrieved persons can approach electoral authorities or courts for redress.
West Bengal has witnessed allegations and counter-allegations over voter lists in previous election cycles. During the last assembly polls, disputes arose over migration patterns, alleged duplication of names and inclusion of new voters. The Election Commission had then deployed central observers and additional personnel to oversee sensitive districts. Analysts say that heightened scrutiny of the rolls reflects both the scale of political competition in the state and the importance attached to turnout and marginal constituencies.
South 24 Parganas, one of the state’s most populous districts, comprises a mix of urban, semi-urban and rural areas, including parts of the Sundarbans. Demographic shifts, seasonal migration and coastal vulnerabilities add complexity to maintaining up-to-date electoral records. Civil society groups working in the district have called for greater public awareness campaigns so that voters understand documentation requirements and timelines for raising objections.
Gyanesh Kumar’s tenure as Chief Election Commissioner has coincided with broader debates about the autonomy and credibility of constitutional bodies. Appointed under the revised selection mechanism that includes members of the executive and opposition, he has publicly emphasised institutional independence and adherence to the law. The Commission has repeatedly stated that it operates free of political influence and that its processes are transparent and subject to judicial oversight.