The Election Commission of India has issued stringent directives to officials in West Bengal to expedite the ongoing electoral roll revision process, setting tight deadlines for completing all pending hearings. During a crucial video conference held on Friday, the full bench of the commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, reviewed the progress with Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal and 19 special roll observers.
Immediate Deadlines for Notice Processing
The EC has mandated that all pending notices for hearings, estimated to be between 50,000 to 60,000, must be generated by 5 pm on Saturday. Furthermore, officials have been instructed to ensure the service of all notices, approximately 5 to 6 lakh in number, by 5 pm on Sunday. This accelerated timeline is part of the commission's efforts to streamline the electoral roll revision process ahead of crucial deadlines.
Seven-Day Completion Target for Hearings
In a significant development, the Election Commission has directed that all hearings, including the comprehensive uploading of associated documents, should be completed within the next seven days. A senior official from the CEO office expressed confidence in meeting this ambitious target, stating, "We are confident of completing all hearings in 7 days and believe that extension of the deadline is not required." The commission had previously set February 7 as the deadline for completing hearings, with the final publication of the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls scheduled for February 14.
Enhanced Verification Through Super-Checking
The EC has introduced a rigorous "super-checking" mechanism that will scrutinize all aspects of the electoral roll revision process. This comprehensive verification will cover:
- All SIR documents uploaded into the system
- Inputs provided by micro observers and roll observers
- Disposals made by Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers
This multi-level verification process will begin at the District Election Officer level and extend up to the Chief Electoral Officer, ensuring thorough oversight at every stage.
Strategic Redeployment of Micro Observers
In a strategic move, the Election Commission has announced that micro observers currently stationed at hearing centers will be withdrawn within the next 2-3 days. These officials will be reassigned to assist roll observers in their respective districts. A senior official explained this decision, noting, "Since the Supreme Court ordered giving a receipt after hearing, the micro observers' role was reduced. So, they will be withdrawn from hearing centres in 2-3 days to assist roll observers."
Progress Review and Specific Instructions
During Friday's meeting, special roll observers from various districts presented detailed progress reports. While the EC expressed satisfaction with the overall implementation of the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls in Bengal, concerns were repeatedly raised about the slow pace of document uploads during hearings.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar issued clear instructions to observers, emphasizing their responsibility to ensure the electoral roll remains free from illegal voters. "CEC instructed the observers that they cannot remain silent," highlighting the proactive role expected from monitoring officials.
Specific Compliance Requirements
The commission has issued specific compliance requirements, including:
- Uploading attendance records and documents from previously completed hearings by February 2, 2026
- Ensuring District Election Officers monitor AEROs and EROs to dispose of all cases strictly according to established norms without any deviations
- Addressing multiple complaints received from South and North 24 Parganas districts through observer intervention
Additional Developments and Oversight
In related developments, Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar is scheduled to visit Malda on Saturday for further assessment of the electoral roll revision process. Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal revealed on Friday that despite multiple reminders, reports from District Magistrates regarding the death of Booth Level Officers have not yet been received, indicating ongoing administrative challenges.
The Election Commission's comprehensive directives reflect a determined effort to ensure the electoral roll revision process in West Bengal proceeds efficiently, transparently, and within established timelines, maintaining the integrity of the democratic process through rigorous oversight and accountability measures.
