Election Commission Issues Stern Warning to West Bengal Officials Over Electoral Roll Integrity
In a crucial virtual meeting held on Friday, the full bench of the Election Commission (EC) delivered a firm message to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, Manoj Agarwal, along with district magistrates, special roll observers, and roll observers. The central directive was unequivocal: ensure that not a single eligible and genuine voter is prevented from casting their ballot, while simultaneously guaranteeing that no foreign citizen's name finds its way onto the electoral roll.
Zero Tolerance for Foreign Names and Voter Exclusion
The commission stressed that every document and decision related to the electoral process will be meticulously stored in the system for years to come. In a stark warning, officials were informed that if a foreigner is discovered on the roll after one, two, or even five years, the concerned personnel will face prosecution. "Do not think you can escape. Whether today or in the next two or even five years, the officials concerned will have to face prosecution," a source quoted the full bench as stating, highlighting the long-term accountability being enforced.
Irregularities in Document Uploads and Verification
According to sources, the EC raised serious concerns about irregularities in the Systematic Identification of Residents (SIR) process. It was reported that in several instances, personnel involved had uploaded newspaper clippings, blank pages, and invisible images onto the system for verification purposes. These discrepancies were showcased to all district magistrates and central observers through a detailed PowerPoint presentation. The full bench questioned how such materials were uploaded, who was responsible, and why the district magistrates verified them, indicating a breach of protocol.
Strict Guidelines on Acceptable Documents
The EC made it clear that electoral registration officers (EROs) and assistant electoral registration officers (AEROs) are only permitted to consider documents explicitly mentioned by the Election Commission and the Supreme Court in their orders regarding the SIR. District magistrates, who also serve as district election officers (DEOs), have been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that fabricated or unauthorized documents are not accepted under any circumstances. "Why are documents being uploaded now? Is it to ensure the uploading of manufactured documents?" the full bench was quoted as questioning, pointing to potential malpractices.
Deadline for Personal Verification and Consequences
To address these issues, the EC set a strict deadline of 5 pm on February 16 for DEOs to personally verify that all uploaded documents comply with the approved list. The commission warned that if even one illegal document is found in the system after this deadline, the concerned district magistrate will be held personally accountable and may face disciplinary action. Additionally, the IT team has been instructed to closely monitor the situation to prevent further irregularities.
Specific Reprimands and Instructions to Officials
The meeting saw the EC reprimanding district magistrates from several districts for alleged negligence, including Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, South and North 24 Parganas, and East Midnapore. Specific actions were taken:
- The DM of Cooch Behar was criticized for delays in uploading documents.
- The DM of South 24 Parganas was directed to investigate under whose authority EROs and AEROs called electoral roll micro observers (ERMOs).
- The DM of East Burdwan was advised to refrain from making political comments, emphasizing the need for neutrality.
All observers were instructed to promptly report any negligence by EROs, AEROs, and DEOs to the EC. Furthermore, the CEO was directed to forward all cases involving verification based on inadmissible and illegible documents to the commission for review.
This meeting underscores the Election Commission's intensified focus on maintaining the integrity of electoral rolls in West Bengal, with a clear emphasis on accountability and adherence to legal standards to safeguard the democratic process.
