In a significant move to ensure universal franchise, the Election Commission of India has initiated a special verification drive for several historically disenfranchised communities in West Bengal. The aim is to include their names in the final electoral roll, which is scheduled for publication on February 14.
Who Are the Eligible Citizens?
The initiative specifically targets groups who have faced long-standing administrative hurdles in proving their citizenship and residency. According to a senior EC official, the drive will focus on tea estate workers whose families have lived for over 150 years in the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar. It also includes inmates of various ashrams and communities classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The common thread among these individuals is their lack of a crucial document: linkage with the Bengal's 2002 SIR (Special Identity Register) roll. Furthermore, they do not possess any of the other standard identity documents notified by the Election Commission.
The New Verification Process
To address this unique challenge, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, has issued a detailed order empowering District Election Officers (DEOs). The official stated, "Our motto is no eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included."
When documentary evidence is unavailable due to valid, practical, or unavoidable reasons, the DEO will follow a rigorous, evidence-based process:
- Conduct a personal visit to the concerned area, hamlet, habitation, or institution.
- Call a public hearing enquiry to record statements and gather relevant evidence.
- Prepare formal proceedings supported by videography.
- Create a verified list of eligible persons identified during the enquiry.
- Consult the Booth Level Officers (BLAs) of the area and record their views.
Final Inclusion in the Voter List
The order further clarifies the final steps. Based on the DEO's enquiry, a consolidated and verified list will be prepared and sent to the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) or Assistant EROs. These officers are mandated to give due consideration to the proceedings while adjudicating and disposing of the relevant application forms, in accordance with the law.
This proactive, ground-level verification method marks a shift from a purely document-centric approach to a more inclusive one. It acknowledges the practical difficulties faced by marginalized communities in a region with a complex demographic history.
The final voter list, incorporating those verified through this special drive, will be a critical document for the state's democratic process, ensuring that the right to vote is extended to all eligible residents.
