Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi has publicly questioned the legal validity of the 2026 West Bengal elections. Speaking at the Hashim Abdul Halim Memorial Lecture in Kolkata on November 5, Quraishi argued that the electoral process was marred by significant procedural failures that compromised its legitimacy. While acknowledging that the entire election might not be entirely void, he insisted that the judiciary must investigate specific areas where there is strong evidence of voter disenfranchisement.
A central pillar of Quraishi’s critique focuses on the 'Special Intensive Revision' (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission of India prior to the polls. He alleged that this revision process was used as an indirect mechanism to verify citizenship, lacking the transparency expected of a constitutional body. Quraishi went as far as to describe the SIR process as a form of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) implemented through the front door, suggesting it functioned with a speed and reach that effectively bypassed standard administrative safeguards. He cited reports claiming that in 49 constituencies, 70 to 80 percent of Muslim voters were removed from the rolls under the pretext of citizenship concerns.
Beyond the voter list controversy, Quraishi expressed deep concern over the internal functioning of the Election Commission of India. He emphasised that the commission is designed to function as a three-member body where decisions must be reached through consensus or a majority vote. He warned that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) should not possess the final say on unilateral decisions. In his remarks, he referenced media reporting that two other election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, had raised at least 14 objections to actions taken by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, suggesting that internal dissent within the commission was being sidelined.
The claims made by the former CEC arrive amidst an ongoing legal challenge regarding the West Bengal elections currently before the Supreme Court. Quraishi noted that he hopes for a clear judgment that will delineate the exact failures of the commission and offer a path toward accountability. He argued that voters should never have to fight or plead to ensure their names remain on the electoral rolls, recalling a time when voter cards were reliably delivered directly to citizens' homes.
The political landscape in West Bengal following the election remains highly charged. Several opposition leaders have voiced strong dissatisfaction with the conduct of the polls. Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee had previously criticised the judiciary for permitting the elections to proceed while 27 lakh voter cases remained pending. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee characterized the electoral outcome as a “murder of democracy,” frequently placing blame on central agencies. Similarly, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP had stolen the people's mandate.
As the matter remains under judicial consideration, the allegations raised by Quraishi have reignited debates regarding the role of independent institutions in the electoral process. The former CEC's call for fresh polling in areas where voters were allegedly removed in large numbers serves as a significant point of contention. Observers are now looking toward the Supreme Court to provide clarity on the legality of the revision processes and to address the broader structural concerns raised regarding the autonomy of the Election Commission.
For the time being, the discourse continues to focus on whether the administrative actions taken by the Election Commission ahead of the 2026 polls adhered to established constitutional norms. With accusations of procedural bias and internal commission friction now firmly in the public domain, the legal proceedings are expected to be a critical factor in determining the future discourse around the integrity of the electoral process in India.
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