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Bengal Voter List Scrutiny: Special Observers Must Clear "Unmapped" Voters

Electoral Registration Officers in West Bengal must obtain final clearance from special roll observers before uploading the names of voters categorized as "unmapped" or having "logical discrepancies" into the final electoral list. This scrutiny applies specifically to voters who appear for hearings and requires verification of their supporting identity documents from a prescribed list. The approved lists of such cases have been circulated, and hard copies are being displayed at local offices. The final voters' list is scheduled for publication on February 14, after which the Election Commission is expected to announce the Assembly election dates.

Key Points: Bengal Voter List: Special Observers to Clear Final Roll Upload

  • Clearance needed for "unmapped" voters
  • Scrutiny of 13 identity proofs
  • Lists approved and circulated
  • Hearings until Feb 7, final list Feb 14
  • Process aims to ensure only verified voters included
2 min read

Bengal SIR: EROs need clearances from special observers before uploading final voters' list

EROs in Bengal need special observers' clearance before adding "unmapped" or "logical discrepancy" voters to the final electoral list. Process details inside.

"only after being satisfied by the authenticity of those documents will give go ahead to the EROs - CEO Office Insiders"

Kolkata, Jan 25

The electoral registration officers engaged in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal will need to obtain final clearance from the special roll observers before uploading the voters' names into the final electoral list.

However, this restriction will only apply in cases of those voters who have appeared for hearings on claims and objections to the draft voters' list, after being identified as "unmapped" or in the "logical discrepancy" category.

The names of voters in the draft voters' list, who have neither been categorised as "unmapped" nor as the "logical discrepancy" category, will be automatically included in the final voters' list.

"Unmapped" voters are those who could not establish any linkage -- either through self-mapping or progeny mapping -- with the 2002 voters' list, the last occasion when such an intensive revision exercise was conducted in West Bengal.

"Logical discrepancy" cases, on the other hand, involve voters whose family tree data revealed anomalies during the progeny-mapping process.

Insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said the SROs will first examine the supporting identity documents that the voters appearing for hearing have furnished, and only after being satisfied by the authenticity of those documents will give go ahead to the EROs concerned to upload those names.

This exercise is aimed at ensuring that only voters who provide any one of the 13 identity proof documents listed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) are included in the final voters' list.

Meanwhile, the Commission has approved the two separate lists of "unmapped" voters and "logical discrepancy" cases identified during the ongoing SIR exercise in the state. Both the approved lists have reached the CEO's office and were circulated among the EROs on Saturday night.

The work for displaying hard copies at block offices, panchayat offices in rural areas, and ward offices in municipalities and municipal corporations has also started from Sunday morning and is expected to be completed by this night or at the latest by Monday morning.

The deadline for the completion of the hearing sessions will expire on February 7, and the final voters' list is scheduled to be published on February 14. However, the Commission had indicated that both deadlines might be extended.

Soon after the publication of the final voters' list, the ECI is likely to announce the polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections in the state.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While the intention is good, I hope this process doesn't become a tool to harass genuine voters, especially those from marginalized communities who might not have perfect documentation linking back to 2002. The hearings must be fair and transparent.
R
Rohit P
Logical discrepancy and unmapped... these terms are new to me. But if it helps remove duplicate or fake voters, then it's welcome. Bengal elections are always high-stakes. We need a list everyone can trust.
A
Ananya R
The 2002 list as a baseline? That's over two decades ago! So many people have moved, families have split, new voters have come of age. This process seems inherently flawed if it creates unnecessary hurdles for legitimate new voters.
D
David E
Observing from outside, this looks like a robust electoral integrity measure. The key is consistent application. If special observers apply the same standard across all districts, it should strengthen the democratic process.
K
Karthik V
Final list on Feb 14, then poll dates. The countdown begins! Hope all political parties cooperate and educate their voters about the hearing process. A fair election starts with a fair roll. 🗳️

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