New Delhi: Alleging large-scale irregularities in the Special Interactive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee personally appeared and argued her case before the Supreme Court on Wednesday (February 4, 2026). "My only prayer is this: protect democracy," she urged the bench.

Key Points of the Argument:

West Bengal Targeted: She questioned why the Election Commission (ECI) is conducting this SIR process specifically targeting West Bengal while such rules are not being applied in states like Assam.

Omission of Voters: She alleged that around 58 lakh voters' names have already been removed from the list. She complained that names, especially of women, are being dropped due to minor spelling errors or changes in surnames after marriage.

'WhatsApp Commission': Criticizing the Election Commission for using WhatsApp to issue official instructions, she mockingly referred to the body as the "WhatsApp Commission."

Appointment of Micro-Observers: She questioned the appointment of 8,100 micro-observers exclusively for West Bengal. Following this, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Election Commission.

Court’s Response:

A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant heard Mamata Banerjee's arguments. The CJI assured her, saying, "Not a single eligible voter should be left out of the list. There is a solution to every problem." The court also took note of Mamata's request to direct the Commission to consider Aadhaar cards as valid identity proof.

Next Step: The next hearing of the case is scheduled for Monday, February 9. The Election Commission is required to submit its response by then.