EC Slams ‘Baseless’ Complaints Over SIR Deaths in Bengal
Poll panel says allegations are intimidatory attempts to browbeat election officials
- EC rejects police complaints as baseless and premeditated
- CEO Bengal calls it an attempt to intimidate election machinery
- Allegations linked to deaths of two elderly voters
- Legal action to be pursued, says poll panel
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Jan: The Election Commission on Wednesday strongly rejected police complaints filed against the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal over the deaths of two elderly voters allegedly linked to fear of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 hearings, terming the allegations baseless and intimidatory.
Reacting to media reports on the complaints, the CEO, West Bengal, said in a post on X that the allegations appeared to be a premeditated attempt to browbeat election officials discharging statutory duties.
“It has come to the notice of this office that two complaints have been filed with the police against the Chief Election Commissioner of India and the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal. The allegations appear to be premeditated, unsubstantiated and a crude attempt to intimidate officers tasked with statutory duties in connection with SIR 2026,” the statement said.
The poll panel warned that such tactics aimed at derailing the electoral process would fail and asserted that the matter would be pursued legally. “No stone will be left unturned to unearth the conspiracy behind these fabricated complaints. The rule of law and truth shall prevail,” the CEO said.
The reaction came after families of two elderly voters filed complaints alleging mental distress caused by SIR hearing notices.
In Purulia, Kanai Majhi claimed his 82-year-old father, Durjan Majhi, was distressed after receiving a hearing notice regarding discrepancies between physical and online SIR rolls. Durjan Majhi allegedly died by suicide hours before his scheduled hearing.
In Howrah, the family of Jamat Ali Sheikh (64) alleged that he faced mental stress after receiving a hearing notice, which they claim contributed to his death.
The Election Commission reiterated that the election machinery in the state remains committed to functioning in public interest with integrity and transparency.
