Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], February 10 (ANI): The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal on Tuesday announced a revised schedule for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in the state, following a Supreme Court order.
In a statement, the CEO said the hearing of notices will be completed by February 14, while the review of documents and disposal of claims will conclude by February 21. The rationalization of polling stations is scheduled to be completed by February 25, with health parameter checks to be conducted by February 27. The final electoral roll will be published on February 28.
The revision follows a Supreme Court judgment granting a one-week extension for the publication of the final electoral roll under the Election Commission of India’s SIR exercise in West Bengal. The Court also issued a show-cause notice to the Director General of Police of West Bengal over allegations of violence and the burning of election records during the revision process.
The final electoral roll, which was earlier scheduled for publication on February 14, will now be released after the extended timeline. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the extension was necessary as Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers required additional time to scrutinize documents and take appropriate decisions.
The Court took serious note of the allegations of violence during the SIR process and directed the Director General of Police to explain the steps taken to maintain law and order in the state. “To streamline the ongoing SIR exercise and address apprehensions raised by various stakeholders, we deem it appropriate to issue some additional directions,” the Court observed.
The Supreme Court also directed the West Bengal government to submit, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, a list of 8,505 officers proposed to be deputed by the state. It granted the Election Commission of India discretion to replace EROs and AEROs and to utilize their services if required.
“From these officers, the ECI may, after a brief scrutiny of their biodata, shortlist personnel equivalent to the strength of the micro-observers already engaged and provide them brief training to assist the EROs, AEROs, and micro-observers,” the Court noted.
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