The Election Commission of India will commence training poll officers in West Bengal on Tuesday as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a critical step ahead of the state’s assembly elections scheduled for next year. The initiative aims to ensure an accurate and updated voter list, addressing discrepancies and facilitating voter participation across the state.

The training, led by State Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal alongside Additional CEOs Dibyendu Das and Arindam Neogi, will focus on equipping trainers to guide booth-level officers (BLOs) in conducting the voter list revision efficiently. “The goal is to ensure a smooth and accurate process,” a senior official told PTI. Assistant district magistrates (ADMs) and electoral registration officers (EROs) from across West Bengal will undergo training in the coming days, followed by BLOs, who will directly engage with voters at the grassroots level.

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BLOs will visit households statewide to verify voter details and assist with documentation during the SIR drive. This groundwork is essential to update records and address issues such as duplicate entries or outdated information. To streamline the process, officials have been directed to compare the 2002 voter list—used during the last SIR in West Bengal—with the latest electoral roll published in January 2025. “This cross-verification will reduce challenges, especially for elderly voters who may struggle to prove eligibility,” the official noted.

Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti is set to visit Kolkata later this week to review preparations and oversee the rollout of the revision exercise. The initiative underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and inclusive electoral process as West Bengal prepares for the upcoming polls. Monday’s meeting with ADMs emphasised initiating voter mapping at the district level to lay a strong foundation for the SIR.

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