Speaking in the national capital after reaching New Delhi, Banerjee expressed strong objections to the SIR exercise, questioning both its timing and intent. She alleged that the revision, conducted barely three months before elections, was selectively implemented in states where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is electorally weak. According to her, nearly 58 lakh voters’ names were removed from electoral rolls using artificial intelligence-driven processes, disproportionately affecting women who changed addresses after marriage and other vulnerable groups.

Banerjee said her delegation boycotted a scheduled interaction, accusing the Election Commission of arrogance and political motivation. “I have never seen an Election Commission like this,” she said, alleging that the poll body had rejected commonly accepted identity documents such as Aadhaar cards, ration cards, land records and Madhyamik admit cards in West Bengal, while following different standards elsewhere.

The Chief Minister further alleged that Booth Level Officers were acting without statutory authority and under intense pressure, creating a climate of fear. She claimed that some living voters were declared dead, while families suffered extreme stress during verification processes. Banerjee described Election Commission hearings as “inhumane,” alleging that people were made to wait for hours and that even pregnant women were summoned.

Security arrangements around Election Sadan remained tight, with large contingents of Delhi Police and central armed forces deployed amid heightened political tension. Banerjee arrived at the Election Commission headquarters wearing black, accompanied by senior TMC leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Kalyan Banerjee.

A 15-member delegation entered Election Sadan for discussions, including 12 family representatives allegedly affected by the SIR exercise. Many of them, along with the Chief Minister, wore black shawls as a mark of protest. Banerjee criticised what she termed excessive security measures, saying such actions were against democratic norms.

Raising concerns over institutional independence, Banerjee also questioned recent administrative appointments linked to the Chief Election Commissioner’s family, alleging BJP influence over constitutional bodies. “The BJP may have power, but the people of Bengal hold democratic strength,” she said, asserting that voters would deliver their response through the ballot.

The SIR exercise has triggered sharp political reactions in West Bengal, with the TMC accusing the Election Commission of administrative harassment, while the poll body has yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations.