CM's Damning Accusations
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has leveled serious accusations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission (EC), alleging
a concerted effort to tamper with the electoral roll. Addressing a public rally, she claimed that the BJP is exploiting Form 6, the designated application for adding names to the voter list, to facilitate the inclusion of non-citizens and the removal of legitimate voters. Banerjee characterized this as a deliberate attempt to sway the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by manufacturing a fake electorate. She expressed deep concern over the impartiality of the Election Commission, suggesting it was acting in favor of the BJP, and urged the citizens of West Bengal to remain vigilant against such deceptive practices. The Chief Minister also implored the Election Commission to uphold the principles of a free and fair electoral process and to conduct the elections with integrity.
Form 6: The Focus of Controversy
The controversy centers on Form 6, an official document used for the inclusion of new names in the electoral roll. Mamata Banerjee's three-page letter to the Chief Election Commissioner detailed allegations that BJP agents have been submitting a large volume of Form 6 applications. These applications, she contends, are not standard requests but a calculated strategy to enroll "outsiders" and individuals who are not genuine residents of West Bengal. This alleged pattern, she stated in her letter, mirrors similar incidents observed in past elections in states like Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi, suggesting a deliberate tactic of "voter hijacking." The Chief Minister highlighted that the sheer quantity of these applications, reportedly around 30,000 submitted within a short period to the CEO's office, raises significant red flags about the legitimacy and verification process.
CEO's Reassurance and Investigation
In response to the Chief Minister's allegations, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Ariz Aftab, assured the public that all claims made would be rigorously investigated. He clarified that the process of voter list updates is transparent and adheres to established protocols. Aftab explained that Form 6 is a legitimate application for voter inclusion, and it undergoes due verification. He further elaborated that government offices, including the CEO's office, are designed to receive any number of documents, and it is not feasible for the CEO to personally monitor every submission. However, he pledged that if any irregularities are discovered during the investigation, the Election Commission would take appropriate action. The CEO also advised political parties to promptly report any specific instances of manipulation to the Election Commission for immediate redressal.
Supreme Court Order and Procedural Concerns
Mamata Banerjee's letter also drew attention to a Supreme Court order from February 20, 2026. This order stipulated that claims and objections concerning the voter list should be adjudicated by judicial officers of unimpeachable integrity. The Chief Minister argued that the large influx of Form 6 applications, allegedly processed without adequate notice to relevant booths and political parties, could potentially circumvent this Supreme Court directive. She expressed apprehension that these applications might be approved without thorough scrutiny, potentially violating the spirit of the court's ruling. The TMC's delegation, which met the CEO prior to the letter, had specifically requested CCTV footage of the CEO's office, indicating their concern over the handling and storage of these numerous Form 6 applications.
