West Bengal CEO Confirms Readiness for Special Intensive Revision of Voter Lists

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Manoj Agarwal, has informed the Election Commission of India (ECI) that the state is fully prepared to begin the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of its voter lists.

ECI Seeks Updates from States

The ECI had sent a letter on Wednesday to the CEO’s office inquiring about the status of preparations for the SIR in West Bengal.

In response, the CEO’s office compiled updates from all districts and submitted them to the Commission on Thursday, according to a source from the office.

The CEO’s office confirmed to the Commission that it is ready to initiate the SIR. As per the ECI’s latest directive, no polling booth should have more than 1,200 voters.

Following this rule, West Bengal has increased its number of polling booths from 80,680 to slightly over 94,000. These updated figures have been communicated to all recognized political parties in the state.

Nationwide SIR Instructions

After completing the SIR in Bihar, the ECI has shifted its focus to other states and union territories, including West Bengal. Last month, the Commission instructed all Chief Electoral Officers to begin preparations for the voter list revision.

The ECI’s instructions emphasized the urgent need for completing key arrangements like recruitment and training of election personnel.

In its letters to CEOs, the ECI specifically directed the appointment of Booth Level Officers (BLOs), BLO Supervisors, and Booth Level Agents (BLAs), along with the necessary training programs. The states were also asked to submit related information without delay.

West Bengal last conducted a Special Intensive Revision of its voter list in 2002.

Door-to-Door Verification Strategy

Another source from the CEO’s office confirmed that the voter list verification process will be conducted through home visits.

Under the leadership of the CEO, the District Election Officer (DEO), Additional District Magistrate, Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), Additional ERO, and BLOs will handle the field-level work.

Every eligible voter will be required to fill out a form and provide the necessary information for verification.

District officials will visit homes to authenticate voter details. Individuals who were already on the 2002 voter list, or whose guardians were listed, will not need to provide new documents.

However, new voters and migrants from other states must submit documentation proving their citizenship and family ties. The process also allows for online verification, and representatives of political parties will be present as observers during the revision.

The CEO’s office notified the ECI on Thursday that groundwork is ready, following the compilation of district-level preparedness reports.

Previous and Upcoming Revisions

West Bengal’s last SIR was conducted more than two decades ago. The recent revision process in neighboring Bihar concluded ahead of its upcoming elections.

West Bengal, scheduled for assembly elections next year, could begin its revision process soon.

Political Tensions Over SIR Exercise

The upcoming voter list revision has sparked a political war of words. The ruling Trinamool Congress has accused the BJP of using the exercise to impose the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in West Bengal.

They also claimed that the ECI is working in favor of the BJP to ensure their win in the upcoming assembly elections.

In contrast, the BJP argued that the Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are resisting the revision out of fear that it would eliminate the names of many illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi immigrants from the voter list.

Rising Tensions Between ECI and State Government

Tensions between the ECI and the West Bengal government are growing, with signs of further escalation.

A key flashpoint is the ECI’s recent order to suspend four election officers and file FIRs against them, following allegations of irregularities in adding names to electoral rolls in two constituencies.

This decision has been interpreted as a clear warning from the ECI to those involved in the electoral process. The state government is now exploring legal measures in response to the Commission’s order to Chief Secretary Manoj Pant.