NewKerala.com

ECI Warns Bengal Micro-Observers: Follow SOPs or Face Suspension, FIR

The Election Commission of India has issued a stern warning to micro-observers in West Bengal, cautioning them of strong disciplinary action for any deliberate deviation from prescribed procedures during the voter list revision. These 3,500 observers are central government or PSU employees, making disciplinary proceedings against them easier than against state government staff. The action follows inputs that some observers were not performing duties as per ECI guidelines during hearing sessions on claims and objections. Four newly appointed special observers will supervise the micro-observers' functioning to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll ahead of the crucial Assembly elections.

Key Points: ECI Cautions Bengal Micro-Observers on SOP Violations

  • ECI warns of disciplinary action
  • 3,500 central govt micro-observers appointed
  • Deviation may lead to suspension & FIR
  • Four special observers to review performance
  • Part of Special Intensive Revision for Bengal polls
2 min read

Bengal SIR : ECI cautions micro-observers of disciplinary action over SOP violations

Election Commission warns central govt micro-observers in Bengal of suspension & FIR for SOP deviations during voter list revision.

"The only aim is to ensure that the name of a single genuine voter remains included and the name of a single bogus voter is excluded - CEO office sources"

Kolkata, Jan 12

The Election Commission of India has cautioned the micro-observers in West Bengal of strong disciplinary action in case of any deliberate deviation from the ECI-prescribed standard operating procedure for them.

The micro-observers have been appointed for the supervision of the hearing sessions on claims and objections on the draft voters' list, which is the ongoing second level of the three-stage Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.

The development is significant since the 3,500 micro-observers appointed, especially, for West Bengal have been selected from either the Central government or those from the central public sector undertakings or public sector banks, most in the Group-B category and a few in the Group-A category.

Since they are Central government or Central PSU or PSU bank employees, on which the Union government has full control, initiating disciplinary proceedings against them in case of deliberate deviation from the ECI- prescribed SOP would be far easier than doing the same for electoral registration officers (EROs), assistant electoral registration officers (AERIs) and booth-level officers (BLOs), who are state government employees or teachers of state-run schools, explained an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal.

Any deliberate deviation from the ECI-prescribed SOP will first attract a show-cause notice, and in the event of non-availability of a satisfactory answer to that notice, it will follow suspension from service and registration of FIR against the micro-observer concerned.

Last week, the ECI announced appointments of four additional special roll observers for the state, and one of the two main assignments for them is to review the performance of the micro-observers at the hearing sessions.

"The Commission had received inputs that some of the micro-observers are not performing their duties during the hearing session as per the guidelines set for them by the ECI. Hence, the newly appointed four special observers have been asked to supervise the functioning of the micro-observers. The only aim is to ensure that the name of a single genuine voter remains included and the name of a single bogus voter is excluded," sources in the CEO's office said.

The draft voters' list in West Bengal was published on December 16, 2025. The final voters' list will be published on February 14. Soon after that, the ECI will announce the polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections in the state, scheduled for this year.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good move by ECI! 🗳️ Transparency in the electoral roll is the foundation of a fair election. Using central staff who can be held accountable is a smart step. Hope this sets a precedent for other states too.
R
Rahul R
While the intent is good, I'm concerned. This feels like excessive central oversight in a state matter. Will these observers truly understand local sensitivities? The threat of suspension and FIR seems very harsh for procedural lapses.
A
Ananya R
Finally! Bogus voters have been a major problem in our state. If micro-observers do their job properly, we can have a cleaner electoral process. The final list on Feb 14 will be very telling.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see such a detailed procedural focus. The three-stage SIR seems thorough. The key will be impartial implementation. Hope the special observers ensure the micro-observers are fair and not influenced.
K
Kavya N
As a teacher, I know how much pressure BLOs and other state staff are under during this process. Bringing in central staff might relieve some burden, but they must be properly trained for the local context. Jai Hind!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50