Election Commission Affirms Sole Authority of EROs in Voter Eligibility Decisions
The Election Commission of India has issued a definitive clarification regarding the roles and powers of officials involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. In a recent affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court, the EC emphasized that only Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) possess the statutory authority to accept or reject the eligibility of electors. This statement comes amid heightened scrutiny and political controversy surrounding the deployment of micro observers during the revision process.
Micro Observers' Role Purely Facilitative, Says EC
Responding to an application filed by Trinamool Congress MP Dola Sen, the Election Commission detailed in its February 4 affidavit that micro observers have been deputed solely to facilitate ground-level officials. The EC explicitly stated, "It is false to suggest that statutory powers have been vested in the micro observers." These micro observers, who are Central government or Public Sector Undertaking officers on deputation under the control of the Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, are tasked with checking documents submitted by electors among other duties. However, the EC affirmed that their functions are purely facilitative, and the final decisions regarding voter eligibility rest exclusively with the EROs or AEROs.
Context of the Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal
The clarification from the Election Commission arises in the context of a significant electoral exercise in West Bengal, where over 1 crore electors out of a total of 7.08 crore have been asked to submit additional documents to establish their eligibility, including proof of citizenship. Notably, the EC has ruled that family registers maintained at Anganwadi centres cannot be accepted as valid documents for the SIR. This has added to the complexity of the revision process, which is also underway in eight other states and three Union Territories, though micro observers have not been appointed in those regions.
Political Reactions and Legal Proceedings
The issue has sparked strong political reactions, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also a petitioner in the case, arguing in person before the Supreme Court on February 4. She alleged that her state is being targeted, citing the appointment of 8,100 Central government employees as micro observers. The Trinamool Congress has raised concerns that these micro observers are re-verifying decisions made by EROs or AEROs, potentially influencing the electoral rolls. The EC, however, maintains that the presence of micro observers from public sector organizations does not imply a lack of competence, as their role is strictly non-decisional.
Legal Framework and Electoral Integrity
Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the authority to add or delete names from electoral rolls is vested solely in the EROs or AEROs of an Assembly constituency. The Election Commission's instructions to the Bengal Chief Electoral Officer on December 19, 2025, outline the tasks of micro observers, which include document verification, but reiterate that ultimate power lies with the statutory officers. This reaffirmation aims to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that eligibility determinations are made by authorized officials, thereby addressing allegations of overreach or bias in the SIR.
As the Special Intensive Revision continues, the Election Commission's stance highlights the critical balance between facilitating efficient electoral management and preserving the legal sanctity of voter registration. With millions of electors in West Bengal navigating the document submission requirements, the clarity provided by the EC seeks to mitigate confusion and reinforce trust in the democratic process, even as political debates over the revision's implementation persist.
