Story perspectives

India Election Body Reports 38.31 Lakh Appeals Against West Bengal Roll

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 10:21 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Faction Symbol Dispute

Election Commission of India told the Supreme Court that over 38 lakh appeals have been filed against West Bengal’s electoral-roll revisions.
Decision on which of two rival Trinamool Congress factions receives the party’s name and two-flower-and-grass symbol will be made after upcoming bye-elections, EC said.
According to Indian Express, about 82 % of the 27.16 lakh deleted voters filed appeals seeking reinstatement.
Nineteen appellate tribunals began on April 13 and restored 1,607 electors before the April 23-29 state elections.

Right

Tribunal Expansion Push

The Election Commission of India informed the Supreme Court that more than 38 lakh appeals have been filed against West Bengal’s electoral-roll revisions.
Commission officials defended the revision and urged the Supreme Court to raise appellate tribunals from 19 to 42, matching West Bengal’s seats.
According to India Today, 38.31 lakh appeals have been filed, over 37 lakh pending; tribunals have decided 126,194 cases, reinstating 113,943 names, with more than 90 % restored.

Blindspot

The Election Commission reported that appellate tribunals have decided 126,194 cases, restoring 113,943 names, and that more than 90 % of decided appeals resulted in reinstatement.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Right-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In February 2008, the Delimitation Commission of India, chaired by Justice Kuldip Singh, redrew West Bengal’s 42 parliamentary and 294 assembly constituencies, triggering a massive electoral-roll overhaul. The Election Commission of India then removed about 1.5 million duplicates, leading the Supreme Court to mandate appellate tribunals for each of West Bengal’s 42 seats. Today, the Commission reports over 38 lakh appeals against West Bengal’s roll revisions, with tribunals deciding 126,194 cases and reinstating 113,943 voters, mirroring the 2008 surge. The 2008 precedent reinforces judicial oversight of voter lists, indicating that future purifications will likely encounter expanded tribunals and heightened legal scrutiny.

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Faction Symbol Dispute

Election Commission of India told the Supreme Court that over 38 lakh appeals have been filed against West Bengal’s electoral-roll revisions.
Decision on which of two rival Trinamool Congress factions receives the party’s name and two-flower-and-grass symbol will be made after upcoming bye-elections, EC said.
According to Indian Express, about 82 % of the 27.16 lakh deleted voters filed appeals seeking reinstatement.
Nineteen appellate tribunals began on April 13 and restored 1,607 electors before the April 23-29 state elections.

1 / 4