Removing a Chief Election Commissioner is hard; holding one to account should not be. India’s election referee must be independent, yet independence cannot mean freedom from scrutiny
Dissent within the poll panel over electoral roll revision raises concerns about the functioning of a constitutional body entrusted with ensuring free and fair elections
If the juggernaut of SIR rolls on unchecked through Phase 3, it risks transforming the Indian electorate from a representation of the sovereign people into a curated list designed exclusively by and for those in power
The West Bengal Assembly election narrative has shifted from corruption and governance to identity and citizenship after large-scale voter roll deletions. Political parties are now focusing on voter identity, making the polls a contest shaped by both numbers and emotions
Around 65 closely contested seats and large-scale voter deletions under SIR could play a decisive role in West Bengal’s 2026 elections, with both TMC and BJP focusing on marginal constituencies where even small vote shifts may change results
