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ECI Warns Officers Over Voter List Fraud in Bengal, Threatens FIR

The Election Commission of India has issued a stern warning to electoral officers in West Bengal, stating that uploading unlisted identity documents as listed ones during voter list hearings is a "grave and deliberate" offence. The Commission will seek written explanations from erring Electoral Registration Officers and may initiate disciplinary action, including suspension and filing an FIR. This follows instances flagged by micro-observers, such as a case where a passport was recorded but an Aadhaar card photo was uploaded. Consequently, from February 2, micro-observers will have an enhanced role to specifically supervise the correct uploading of identity documents as a first level of scrutiny.

Key Points: ECI Warns Bengal Officers Over Voter List Document Fraud

  • ECI warns of 'grave' offence
  • Action may include suspension, FIR
  • Micro-observers role enhanced from Feb 2
  • Case cited: Passport listed, Aadhaar uploaded
2 min read

Bengal SIR: Uploading unlisted documents as listed ones a 'grave and deliberate' offence, warns ECI

ECI warns of suspension & FIR for uploading wrong voter ID documents in Bengal's electoral roll revision. Micro-observers get enhanced role.

"This was a classic case of 'grave and deliberate' mistake - CEO official"

Kolkata, Jan 31

The Election Commission of India has cautioned that clearing and uploading unlisted identity documents as listed ones during hearings on claims and objections to the draft voters' list in West Bengal will be treated as "grave and deliberate" lapses by Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers.

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said that the micro-observers appointed by the Commission to supervise the hearing session have already flagged some instances of "grave and deliberate" mistakes and brought them to the Commission's notice.

In such cases, the CEO's official said, the Commission will first seek written explanations from the EROs and AEROs concerned as to why disciplinary actions should not be initiated against them. If no satisfactory answer is available, the Commission will take strong disciplinary action against the ERO or AERO concerned, which may include suspension from service and the registration of an FIR.

A CEO official explained the nature of the offense by citing a case in Kolkata. "In the case of a particular voter, the ERO concerned mentioned the passport as the supporting identity document produced by the voter. However, in reality, the photo uploaded to the system was that of the voter's AADHAAR card. This was a classic case of 'grave and deliberate' mistake," the CEO official pointed out.

Accordingly, the ECI has announced a change in the responsibilities of micro-observers engaged in reviewing hearings on claims and objections to the draft electoral roll in West Bengal -- currently underway as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) -- with effect from February 2.

At present, micro-observers are deployed at hearing centres to ensure that proceedings are conducted in accordance with ECI guidelines. From Monday onwards, however, they will be tasked with supervising whether the identity documents produced by voters during hearings are uploaded correctly and strictly in line with the Commission's prescribed list.

The micro-observers will ensure that only ECI-listed documents are uploaded as supporting identity proof. They will act as the first level of scrutiny, after which special roll observers will conduct a further review to identify and filter cases where unlisted documents may have been uploaded.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by ECI! In a sensitive state like Bengal, we need extra vigilance during electoral roll revision. Micro-observers are a good step, but will they have enough power to stop local officers? Hope this isn't just for show.
A
Aman W
While strict action is welcome, I hope the ECI also provides better training. Calling it a "deliberate" mistake is a strong charge. Could it sometimes be a clerical error due to pressure? The system should be foolproof, not just punitive.
S
Sarah B
Working on governance projects here, I see how crucial clean data is. If the foundational voter roll has errors, everything else is compromised. This level of scrutiny should be standard nationwide, not just in Bengal. 👍
V
Vikram M
Fir se yehi drama? Har election se pehle EC ko Bengal mein "special" measures lene padte hain. Political parties should keep their workers in check instead of trying to manipulate the rolls. Public ka vishwas kam ho raha hai.
K
Kriti O
Suspension and FIR? That's harsh but necessary. We need to send a clear message that tampering with electoral process won't be tolerated. Hope other states are watching. Our vote is our only real power.

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