Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

ECI: 22.21 lakh appeals by deleted voters, 16.10 lakh seek more deletions

Replying to an application by TMC MP Derek O'Brien, ECI told the Supreme Court that of 38,31,429 appeals, 22,21,118 were by people seeking restoration and 16,10,311 challenged names included by judicial officers. 1,26,194 had been disposed of and 37,05,235 were pending. ECI did not say who filed the appeals against inclusion, and proposed raising the tribunals from 19 to 42.

These totals differ from the counter-affidavit reported a day earlier (38,20,683 filed, 1,02,231 disposed); neither report explains the difference, which may reflect different cut-off dates. The '82%' is The Indian Express's division of 22.21 lakh by 27.16 lakh. Election Commissioner Sukhbir Singh Sandhu asked on file in August 2026 who was authorised to file such appeals on ECI's behalf (IE, 23 Sep 2026).

• TIER 3 · PRESSOf 27 lakh deleted West Bengal voters, 22 lakh have filed appeals: Election Commission to Supreme CourtThe Indian Express2026-09-19archived ↗
• TIER 2 · RESEARCH/FILINGWest Bengal SIR: Over 22 lakh appeals challenge voter exclusions, ECI tells Supreme CourtIndia Legal2026-09-22
• TIER 3 · PRESSMissing in Election Commission affidavit: Break-up of Bengal SIR appeals for inclusion, exclusion of namesThe Indian Express2026-09-18