SIR concerns grow as Mamata Banerjee flags 2 ‘disturbing developments’ in letter to EC

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar expressing concern over two “disturbing yet urgent developments” linked to preparations for the coming elections.

In her letter, she writes: “I am constrained to write to you regarding two disturbing yet urgent developments that have been brought to my notice, and which, in my view, warrant your immediate intervention.”

Her first objection concerns what she calls a “questionable RfP issued by CEO, West Bengal”. According to the letter, district officials have been advised not to engage contractual data entry operators and Bangla Sahyata Kendra staff for tasks connected to the Special Intensive Revision or other election-related data work. Banerjee notes that, at the same time, the CEO’s office has issued a Request for Proposal to hire “1,000 Data Entry Operators and 50 Software Developers for a period of one year”.

“This raises serious concerns,” she writes.

Banerjee argues that district offices already have “a substantial number of competent professionals” who routinely handle such work. She says they have always been empowered to hire contractual personnel when required.

She asks: “When district offices already have a substantial number of competent professionals performing such functions, what necessitates the CEO’s initiative to outsource the same work through an external agency for a full year? … Why, then, is the CEO’s office assuming this role on behalf of field offices?”

The letter adds a series of further questions: “What substantive difference is expected in the service conditions or contractual obligations between those already engaged and those to be hired through the proposed agency? Is this exercise being undertaken at the behest of a political party to serve vested interests? The timing and manner of this RfP certainly raise legitimate doubts.”

🚨Absurdity alert: SIR drive turning West Bengal into a 'death trap'?😡

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West Bengal is on fire with controversies over the Special Identification of Residents (SIR) drive, a simple voter roll cleanup that's suddenly being blamed for everything from stress to… https://t.co/ENBBVTlcd5

— Surajit Dasgupta (@surajitdasgupta) November 24, 2025

Strong objection to polling stations inside private housing complexes

Banerjee’s second point of concern is a proposal she says has been discussed regarding the setting up of polling stations inside private residential complexes.

“It has further been brought to my attention that the Election Commission is considering setting up polling stations within private residential complexes, and DEOs have been asked to provide recommendations,” she writes.

Calling the idea “deeply problematic”, she stresses that polling stations “have always been — and must remain — located in government or semi-government institutions, preferably within a 2 km radius, to ensure accessibility and neutrality”.

She argues that private buildings “compromise fairness, violate established norms, and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public — the haves and the have-nots”.

The letter questions why such a proposal is under consideration: “Why is such a move being contemplated at all? Again, is this being done under pressure from a political party to advance their partisan interests?”

Her final line on the issue is a three-word emphasis: “Why? Why? Why?”

Banerjee warns that the implications of the proposed change “would have severe impact on the fairness of the electoral process”.

She concludes by calling for urgent attention from the Commission: “I urge you to examine these issues with utmost seriousness, impartiality, and transparency. It is essential that the dignity, neutrality, and credibility of the Commission remain above reproach and are not compromised under any circumstances.”