West Bengal CM Labels Voter Roll Revision a Digital Conspiracy Against Common Citizens

Advertisment

The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, says that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was manipulated with the help of artificial intelligence. She alleged that the SIR drive was a “huge scam,” while addressing a rally in Bankura on Tuesday. This controversial statement ahead of the assembly elections has sparked controversy. 

Allegations of AI Manipulation in Electoral Rolls

Mamata Banerjee claims the BJP is using technology to manipulate election results. She believes online systems help inject fake entries into records. The CM said, "Sitting in the Election Commissioner's office, they have created a fake voter's list online, and in every district of West Bengal, fake voters have been added."

The TMC views this as a digital threat to the 2026 elections, claiming that these tactics were first used in Delhi and Maharashtra. Many fear that outsourced workers are ruining the database. The party insists that the system is no longer neutral and demands a full probe into these digital additions.

Advertisment

Beyond fake names, there is a risk of algorithmic disenfranchisement. AI models could be trained to target specific demographics. These models might trigger "errors" for certain groups of people. A voter may exist on paper but fail automated checks. This makes manipulation very hard to find during manual audits.

Political Showdown Over Voter Verification in Bankura

Voter verification in Bankura is now a major political fight as Mamata Banerjee criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. She dislikes the use of private buildings for verification camps. The Chief Minister stated, "Stations must be located in government or semi-government buildings, as using private buildings could compromise fairness."

The TMC set up "May I Help You" camps for voters. They want to ensure residents are not removed unfairly. On the other hand, the BJP claims the TMC is protecting illegal immigrants. Both sides are watching the list very closely, and the friction between them is growing as the state prepares for polls.

Advertisment

This situation reflects a shift from direct physical interference at polling booths to control exercised through procedures and systems. Political parties are focusing on software and verification points that manage access to voting. Control over these entry processes could give local authorities greater visibility into voting participation.