EC Struggles To Meet SC Deadline On 1.26 Crore Voter List In Bengal

The Election Commission (EC) in West Bengal is facing uncertainty over meeting the Supreme Court’s deadline to publish a list of voters with data discrepancies by Saturday. According to officials, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) did not receive the required software on time, making it extremely difficult to compile, print, and display the data within the stipulated timeframe.

On January 19, the Supreme Court directed the EC to display lists of voters with “logical discrepancies” and “unmapped” voters at panchayat and block offices. However, a senior official from the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office said the software needed for processing the data was received only late Friday night, leaving little time for execution at the field level.

Officials said BLOs are already engaged in verification hearings, further complicating the situation. The list in question includes approximately 1.26 crore voters whose records show discrepancies or are not mapped with the 2002 electoral rolls, when the last Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was conducted. Authorities admitted that meeting the court-mandated timeline may not be feasible under these circumstances.

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Meanwhile, the EC revealed that over 3 lakh voters classified as “unmapped” failed to appear for verification hearings despite being issued notices. Nearly 10 per cent of such voters did not turn up, raising concerns over the accuracy and completion of the ongoing revision process.

To accelerate the SIR exercise and ensure transparency, the EC has decided to deploy 294 additional senior micro-observers at the assembly segment level. Officials said this move is aimed at faster disposal of pending cases and closer monitoring of the verification process.

As part of the revision exercise, 7.62 crore enumeration forms were distributed across the state, and draft electoral rolls published on December 16 saw the deletion of over 58 lakh names due to deaths, migration, and duplication. Hearings are scheduled to conclude on February 7, with the final electoral roll expected on February 14, though the EC has indicated the deadline may be extended if required.

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