West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging the poll body to take lessons from neighboring Bangladesh on conducting national elections. Speaking at a press conference on February 17, 2026, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo praised the peaceful execution of the 13th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, which concluded on February 12.
Expressing her discontent with the current electoral process in India, Banerjee labeled the ECI as a “Tughlaqi Commission.” Her remarks came amidst a heated dispute over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal. She alleged that the Commission, acting on the instructions of the BJP-led Central government, is “treating ordinary citizens like terrorists” and arbitrarily deleting names from the electoral rolls.
”We were worried about the situation in Bangladesh, but see how they conducted a free and fair poll,” Banerjee remarked. She highlighted that despite fears of unrest following the July 2024 uprising, the elections in Bangladesh—managed under an interim government—were remarkably disciplined and peaceful. In contrast, she claimed that the SIR process in West Bengal has led to confusion and work pressure, resulting in the deaths of over 160 people.
Banerjee further accused the ECI of violating Supreme Court guidelines and creating a “threat culture” among state officials. She concluded by warning that “no chair is permanent” and emphasized that the ECI must ensure transparency to maintain the sanctity of democracy, just as seen in the recent Bangladeshi model.
