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ECI Flags Bengal Officers for Deliberately Delaying Voter List Process

The Election Commission of India has identified Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers in West Bengal accused of deliberately delaying the upload of identity documents received during voter list hearings. Sources state that between 120 to 150 officials are involved, with delays persisting days after the February 14 deadline. This backlog threatens the scheduled completion of the scrutiny process and the final publication of the voters' list on February 28. The Commission is determined to take action against the guilty officials under the Representation of the People Acts.

Key Points: ECI Finds Bengal Officers Delaying Voter List Uploads

  • ECI identifies guilty officers
  • Delays in document uploading post-deadline
  • Risk to voter list publication schedule
  • Scrutiny process may be stalled
  • Commission vows action as per law
2 min read

Bengal SIR: ECI identifies EROs/AEROs 'deliberately' delaying document process​

Election Commission identifies EROs/AEROs in West Bengal for deliberately delaying document uploads, risking voter list publication deadline.

"Some EROs and AEROs have been found deliberately keeping the process... pending - Commission Sources"

Kolkata, Feb 20

The Election Commission of India has identified the electoral registration officers and assistant electoral registration officers "guilty" of "deliberately" delaying the process of uploading of identity documents received during the hearing sessions on claims and objections on the draft voters' list in West Bengal.​

Sources in the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) claimed that 120 and 150 EROs and AEROs have been found "guilty". However, ECI has not yet officially given the number of EROs and AEROs involved. ​

"Some EROs and AEROs have been found deliberately keeping the process of document uploading pending even five days after the expiry of the extended deadline for hearing sessions on February 14," sources claimed. ​

The source also claimed that, due to this deliberately lackadaisical approach to document uploading, a large number of voters' documents have yet to be uploaded to the system.​

"Unless these documents are uploaded, their scrutiny process would not be possible. In such a situation, it is highly doubtful whether the current deadline of completing the scrutiny process by February 21 will be met," sources said.​

They added that if the deadline for completing the document scrutiny process is extended, the current scheduled publication date of the final voters' list on February 28 will also have to be postponed.​

They said that the Commission is determined not to spare the EROs and AEROs found guilty.​

"Actions will be taken against them by the Commission as per provisions of the Representation of the People Acts, as already being done against two EROs, nine AEROs, one data-entry operator, and three micro-observers," sources said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Why is this happening only in Bengal? 🤔 This deliberate delay seems politically motivated. Every citizen's right to vote is sacred. Kudos to ECI for identifying the guilty officers. Hope they are suspended immediately.
R
Rohit P
As a common man, I just want my name on the voter list without any hassle. These delays by officials create so much uncertainty. The ECI should name and shame them publicly.
S
Sarah B
While strict action is needed, I hope the ECI also looks into whether these officers were under-resourced or facing undue pressure. Sometimes the problem is systemic, not just individual negligence. A fair investigation is key.
V
Vikram M
This is a complete failure of administration. 120-150 officers is not a small number! It points to a larger conspiracy to manipulate the electoral roll. ECI must ensure the final list is accurate, even if it means postponing the date. Jai Hind!
K
Kavya N
Very disappointing. These officers are paid from taxpayer money to do their duty. Such "lackadaisical approach" (as the article says) is unacceptable. Hope the action taken sets an example for all states. 🇮🇳

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