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ECI to Question Officers Over Unlisted ID Proofs in Bengal Voter List

The Election Commission of India is considering seeking explanations from electoral registration officers in West Bengal for accepting unlisted identity-proof documents during the draft voters' list revision, contrary to its specific instructions. This has reportedly delayed the Special Intensive Revision process, as affected voters must be re-summoned with valid documents. The hearing sessions are ongoing until February 7, with the final voters' list scheduled for publication on February 14. Following this, the full ECI bench will visit West Bengal before the Assembly election dates are announced.

Key Points: ECI Seeks Explanations on Unlisted ID Proofs in Bengal Voter List

  • ECI may seek explanations from officers
  • Unlisted ID proofs accepted against guidelines
  • Process delays Special Intensive Revision
  • Final voters' list due February 14
2 min read

Bengal SIR: ECI likely to seek explanations from EROs, AEROs on unlisted ID proof issue

Election Commission may seek explanations from Bengal electoral officers for accepting unlisted ID documents during voter list revision, causing delays.

"This, on one hand, is delaying the entire process... some vested interests seem to be using this opportunity to accuse the Commission - CEO's office insider"

Kolkata, Jan 20

The Election Commission of India is considering seeking explanations from a section of the electoral registration officers and the assistant electoral registration officers, who had accepted unlisted identity-proof documents during the hearing session on claims and objections to the draft voters list in West Bengal, ignoring ECI's specific instructions in the matter.

The ECI had specified 13 documents that could be accepted as supporting identity-proof documents. It had instructed the EROs and AEROs not to accept any other document other than the 13 listed ones.

The Commission had also instructed the District Magistrates (DMs) and the District Electoral Officers (DEOs) to ensure that the ECI's guidelines in the matter are adhered to strictly.

However, sources pointed out that despite such specific instructions in the matter, several instances have surfaced where unlisted documents were accepted by the EROs and AEROs as supporting identity-proof documents.

"This, on one hand, is delaying the entire process of Special Intensive Revision since the voters submitting unlisted documents will have to be summoned again for a hearing and asked to come with any one of the 13 listed documents. At the same time, some vested interests seem to be using this opportunity to accuse the Commission of unnecessarily harassing the voters in the name of a hearing. In such a situation, the Commission is considering seeking explanations from those EROs and AEROs who accepted unlisted documents, ignoring the ECI's specific guidelines in the matter," a CEO's office insider explained.

The deadline for submitting claims and objections to the draft voters' list expired on Monday. The hearing sessions in the matter will continue till February 7. The final voters' list will be published on February 14.

The Commission has already set a target of completing 7,00,000 hearings a day at 6,500 centres, to meet the deadlines for hearing and publication of the final voters' list.

After the publication of the final voters' list, the full bench of the ECI will visit West Bengal, and soon after that, the polling dates will be announced for the Assembly elections.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
While the rules should be followed, I feel for the common voter. Many people, especially in rural areas, might not have all 13 documents readily available. The process should be strict but also practical and not harass genuine citizens.
A
Aman W
Good move by ECI. Accountability is key for free and fair elections. Officers ignoring clear guidelines are compromising the integrity of the process. Hope this sets an example for other states as well.
S
Sarah B
The timeline seems incredibly tight - 700,000 hearings a day? No wonder mistakes are happening. The EC should ensure officers have proper training and resources, not just seek explanations after the fact.
V
Vikram M
Typical Bengal story before elections. Always some controversy with the voter list. ECI needs to be extra vigilant here. The final list must be foolproof to ensure no party can cry foul later.
K
Karthik V
The list of 13 documents is quite comprehensive (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, etc.). If someone doesn't have even one, it's a bit concerning. Strict adherence is necessary to prevent duplicate or bogus entries. Full support to ECI on this.

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