The Election Commission of India has significantly ramped up its monitoring machinery in West Bengal ahead of the crucial Summary Revision of the electoral roll. In a major move, the poll body has appointed four additional special roll observers for the state, taking the total number of such observers deployed in Bengal to twenty-two.
Enhanced Vigilance for Error-Free Rolls
These four new special observers will be stationed at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal. Their primary task will be to conduct sample checks of enumeration forms alongside micro observers. Manoj Agarwal, the CEO of West Bengal, emphasized that these officers are being deployed to ensure the preparation of an error-free electoral roll. He pointed to lapses in the past, stating that a lack of proper vigil had led to a situation where a staggering 94.5 lakh (9.45 million) people in the state are now receiving hearing notices regarding their voter registration details.
A Focus on Bengal, Not BJP-Ruled States
This special deployment appears to be uniquely focused on West Bengal. No such special roll observers have been appointed by the Election Commission for any of the states currently ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This targeted approach has drawn attention to the specific administrative challenges perceived in Bengal's electoral roll management. The decision underscores the EC's intent to conduct a thorough and transparent revision process in the politically significant state.
Political Reactions and the Road Ahead
The development has not gone unnoticed by the state's ruling party. A delegation of Trinamool Congress ministers, led by Commerce and Social Welfare Minister Dr. Sashi Panja, has already submitted a formal memorandum to the Bengal CEO regarding the ongoing electoral process. Meanwhile, the Election Commission maintains three dedicated officers at its central control room to oversee the entire Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise. The addition of four more ground-level observers in Bengal signals a layered strategy of central oversight combined with intensive local scrutiny to build a robust and credible voter list.
