India, Oct. 23 -- Around 45% of voters listed in West Bengal's current electoral roll did not appear in the 2002 roll prepared during the last Special Intensive Revision (SIR), officials aware of the matter said, as the election commission began a voter mapping exercise ahead of the 2026 state elections.

The voter mapping exercise is a precursor to the SIR, which is likely to be rolled out in the state soon. "The voter mapping process is still continuing and is likely to be completed soon. But so far, around 45% of the voters' names in the present electoral roll were not matching with the 2002 voters' list when the last SIR was held in the state," a senior poll panel official said.

While East Midnapore, with a 68% match, has the highest...