In a significant move to ensure universal franchise, the Election Commission of India has initiated a special verification drive for several marginalized communities in West Bengal. The initiative specifically targets long-term residents who lack conventional documentary proof for voter registration.
Who Benefits From This Special Drive?
The drive is designed to assist specific groups that have faced historical exclusion from the electoral roll. These include tea estate workers whose families have lived for over 150 years in the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar. It also covers inmates of ashrams and communities classified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The common thread is that these individuals are not linked to the state's 2002 SIR (Summary Revision of Electoral Roll) database and do not possess any of the standard identity documents notified by the Election Commission.
The Verification Process: Public Hearings and Personal Visits
To address this gap, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, has issued a detailed order. District Election Officers (DEOs) have been empowered to dispose of cases where EC documents are unavailable. The process moves away from a purely document-centric approach.
When valid, practical, or unavoidable reasons prevent the production of documents, the DEO will personally visit the concerned area, hamlet, or institution. The core of the verification will be a public hearing enquiry.
During this hearing, statements from the applicants and other relevant evidence will be recorded. The entire proceeding will be formally documented and supported by videography. A verified list of eligible persons identified during the enquiry will be prepared.
Role of Booth Level Agents and Final Inclusion
The process emphasizes community involvement and transparency. Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of the concerned polling station will be consulted, and their views, objections, or confirmations will be recorded as part of the official proceedings.
Based on this thorough field-level verification, a consolidated and verified list will be forwarded to the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant EROs. These officers are mandated to give due consideration to the proceedings while adjudicating and disposing of the relevant application forms, in accordance with the law.
A senior EC official stated that the motto is clear: "no eligible citizen is left out while no ineligible person is included in the electoral rolls." The final voter list incorporating these verified names is scheduled for publication on February 14.
