Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) will decide in due course whether to conduct a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal or other states.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Kumar responded to questions regarding the possibility of such a revision in West Bengal. “We three election commissioners will collectively take a decision at an appropriate time and announce when the SIR will be conducted in West Bengal or any other state,” he said.

His remarks come in the wake of renewed attention on the issue, following the ECI’s release in July of electoral data from the last Special Intensive Revision held in West Bengal in 2002. The data was made available on the website of the state’s Chief Electoral Officer under the heading “Electoral Roll of SIR, 2002.”

Concerns have surfaced around the timing and purpose of a potential SIR, especially as neighbouring Bihar heads into elections. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly opposed a fresh revision, vowing on July 21 that she would not allow it in the state. Speaking at an administrative meeting in Birbhum, Banerjee instructed Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure that voters' names are not removed from the rolls and that citizens are not harassed.

“The ECI steps in only after poll dates are announced. Until then, and even after that, the state administration remains in place. You are state government employees—do not harass anyone unnecessarily,” Banerjee told the officers.

West Bengal is scheduled to hold its next Assembly elections in 2026.