West Bengal Governor Backs ECI Amid SIR Phase 2—What It Means for 2026 Polls

West Bengal is also included in the list of 12 States and Union Territories, ahead of the Assembly elections in 2026.

Governor Bose told ANI, "Election Commission is doing its duty and we have a system of checks and balances in the Constitution of India to ensure that democracy progresses very well without hindrance."

He refused to comment on the Trinamool Congress government's transfer of 64 IAS and WBCS officers ahead of SIR.

CV Ananda Bose said, "That's an administrative matter in which I don't want to comment."

He performed Shiv puja at Bhu Kailash Temple in Khidirpur on Chhath Puja and said, "May the Sun God bless all my brothers and sisters of Bengal on this Chhath Puja."

Following ECI's announcement of the second phase of the SIR exercise, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has scheduled a press conference on Tuesday at 6 pm.

In a letter to the Principal Secretary, Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, the Additional CEO said, "I am directed to inform you that a Press Meet will be held by the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal on October 28 at 6.00 pm at the Conference Hall (2nd Floor) of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal. I am also directed to request you to kindly issue instructions to your good office to inform all the media houses in this regard."

Earlier today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar said that the Election Commission will conduct the second phase of the SIR in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, with the final list to be published on February 7, 2026.

According to the Election Commission, printing and training will take place from October 28 to November 3, followed by an Enumeration Phase from November to December 4. The Draft Electoral Rolls will be published on December 9, followed by a claims and objection period from December 9 to January 8, 2026. The Notice Phase (for hearing and verification) will take place between December 9 and January 31, 2026, with publication of Final Electoral Rolls on February 7, 2026.

"The second phase of SIR (Special Intensive Revision) is about to be carried out in 12 States and UTs," the CEC said.

Following the Supreme Court's directions, the ECI has included Aadhaar in the list of 12 indicative documents, as per its September 9 order relating to the SIR in Bihar.

Explaining the position on Aadhaar, CEC Kumar said, "As far as the Aadhaar Card is concerned, the Supreme Court has said that Aadhaar is to be used as per the Aadhaar Act. Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act says that Aadhaar will not be the proof of domicile or citizenship. The Supreme Court has given several rulings that Aadhaar is not proof of date of birth. Keeping this in mind, the Aadhaar authority issued its notification and even today, if you download a new Aadhaar today, the Card mentions that it is neither a proof of date of birth nor domicile or citizenship. Aadhaar Card is proof of identity and can be used for e-signing too."

The first phase of the SIR exercise was conducted in Bihar in September, ahead of the Assembly elections in the State.

- ANI