4 min readKolkataUpdated: Mar 31, 2026 10:13 PM IST
As West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday wrote to the Election Commission, accusing the poll panel of being involved with the BJP in a “grave conspiracy” of manipulating the electoral rolls in the state, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal on Tuesday said the poll panel was taking the complaints seriously and would investigate the matter.
In a three-page letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged that BJP agents were submitting Form 6 applications of “outsiders” for the inclusion of new voters in the state.
“It is a matter of deep concern that a constitutional authority such as the Election Commission of India appears to be undermining the democratic and fundamental rights of the people of Bengal… We are now witnessing what appears to be another coordinated attempt by the BJP, in conjunction with the ECI, to interfere with the democratic rights of the people. Credible reports indicate that a large number of Form 6 applications are being submitted by BJP agents at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer and across several districts. These do not seem to be routine applications for voter inclusion but a mischievous ploy to include non-residents in the electoral roll,” the chief minister wrote.
The chief minister’s letter to the CEC comes a day after a TMC delegation, led by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, met CEO Agarwal and demanded CCTV footage of his office.
Speaking to reporters after a five-member TMC delegation, led by him, met the CEO, Abhishek said, “We have credible information that about 30,000 Form 6s were submitted to the CEO’s office in six to seven hours today, in clear violation of Supreme Court directives… Some have made videos and sent them to us. Form 6s are being stored on the second floor of the CEO’s office, and according to the rules, no one can submit more than 50 Form 6s.”
He claimed that a representative of a BJP leader brought a “sackful of Form 6” to the CEO’s office and demanded the CCTV footage.
Drawing parallels to elections in Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi, and suggesting a pattern of “voter hijacking” by the BJP, the chief minister wrote, “There are serious concerns that these applications may pertain to individuals who are not genuine residents of West Bengal and have no legitimate connection to the state. Similar patterns were reportedly observed prior to elections in Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi.”
Calling it illegal, unconstitutional, and fundamentally undemocratic, she said it reflected mala fide intent and ill motive.
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The chief minister argued that the EC’s current actions violated the February 20, 2026, order of the Supreme Court, which mandated claims and objections regarding the voter list be adjudicated by judicial officers of “impeccable integrity.”
“It is pertinent to note that the Supreme Court has passed the order in view of the exceptional circumstances in the case of preparation of the final voter list by reason of the SIR. When such adjudication is in progress, the CEO has reportedly received nearly 30,000 applications under Form 6 for inclusion in the voter list. We reasonably apprehend that all these Applications under Form 6 would be allowed by the Election Commission without giving appropriate notice in the concerned booths and to all the political parties,” the letter read.
Addressing the allegations, CEO Agarwal said the poll panel was taking the complaints seriously and would investigate the matter.
“I will see where the agency has installed CCTV… I will check what is in the footage and then consider the matter further,” he told a local TV channel.
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The CEO clarified that individuals already on the adjudication list cannot apply through Form 6, which is meant solely for the inclusion of new names. All requests and complaints have been forwarded to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) for verification, he said.
Agarwal also warned that those applying for inclusion of their names in the voters’ list under false pretences would face legal consequences.
(With inputs from PTI)
