Ahead of the final phase of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, a two-member delegation from the Election Commission of India (ECI) is scheduled to visit the state later this month to review preparations and examine reported lapses in the process.
The delegation, comprising Principal Secretary SB Joshi and Deputy Secretary Abhinav Agarwal, had earlier visited West Bengal in September when the SIR process was set to begin. According to Commission sources, their December visit is aimed at investigating instances of significant negligence already detected in the SIR work and ensuring strict compliance with the Commission’s directives during the concluding stage.
Officials said the delegation will conduct a detailed review of the ongoing revision exercise and remind state authorities to prevent any further irregularities. It is also reported that the two officials may attend a training programme for micro-observers scheduled to be held at Nazrul Mancha on December 24.
Meanwhile, political tensions around the SIR process have intensified. On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and BLAs of the ruling Trinamool Congress at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. During the meeting, she stressed that no eligible voter’s name should be excluded from the electoral roll during the revision exercise and raised questions regarding the functioning of the Election Commission of India and the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
The Election Commission has appointed central government employees as micro-observers for the second phase of the SIR process. The Chief Minister objected to this move and sought detailed information about these appointees, including their departmental affiliations and residential details.
“I have heard that central government employees are being given responsibility. I want all the details— who has been appointed, which department they work in, where they live. I will cooperate with them, but I want the details,” Mamata said. She also questioned the appointment of micro-observers from within the state without prior intimation to the state government, asking whether they were politically affiliated.
The Chief Minister further expressed concern over the lack of clarity regarding hearing venues and the decision to deploy central government employees as micro-observers. She questioned whether officials from other states would be conducting hearings in West Bengal and whether they were familiar with the Bengali language.
According to ECI sources, hearing notices have already been issued to approximately 32 lakh individuals whose names were previously found to be unmapped in the electoral rolls. The Commission has clarified that individuals unable to attend hearings on the scheduled date must inform authorities in advance. In such cases, only one additional day will be granted, with no further extensions permitted.
The Commission has maintained that these measures are necessary to ensure transparency and accuracy in the electoral roll revision process.
Also read: EC seeks central forces for Kolkata CEO office amid tensions
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