In a crucial meeting held in Kolkata on Tuesday, senior Election Commission officials delivered a stern message to District Election Officers (DEOs) of West Bengal, emphasizing strict adherence to guidelines and a firm deadline for the completion of the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Strict Adherence to EC Directives Mandated
Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti chaired the review meeting to assess the progress of the SIR process across the state. According to sources present, Bharti issued clear instructions to all DEOs, mandating that they follow the Commission's directives without deviation during the hearing process. He explicitly stated that no documents outside the officially provided list of guidelines would be accepted for inclusion in the rolls.
Bharti's warning was pointed, as he informed the officers that the EC had already received complaints regarding procedural lapses. "You must be careful now, otherwise the EC will be forced to act against you," sources quoted the Deputy Election Commissioner as saying. The directive underscores the Commission's zero-tolerance approach towards any irregularities in the massive electoral exercise.
Deadline Set for Error-Free Final Roll
A central focus of the meeting was the immovable deadline for the publication of the final electoral roll. Bharti directed the DEOs to complete all remaining work as per the scheduled timeline to ensure that the final electoral roll is published on February 14, 2026. Officials were instructed to prioritize accuracy, with Bharti making it clear that they must prepare an error-free list.
The dual objective, as emphasized in the meeting, is to guarantee that no eligible voter is left out of the list while simultaneously ensuring that no ineligible voter is included. This balance is critical for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process ahead of future elections.
DEOs Raise Concerns Over Process Hurdles
While receiving instructions from the top brass, the District Election Officers also reportedly voiced significant operational challenges they are facing. A primary concern raised by several DEOs was the impact of the intensive SIR process on their routine administrative duties, with some stating they did not have time for their regular work.
Furthermore, officers pointed to practical difficulties, including frequent changes in the EC's instructions and technical glitches in the Booth Level Officer (BLO) App. These issues, they indicated, were complicating the smooth execution of the revision process on the ground.
The high-level meeting was also attended by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, SB Joshi (Principal Secretary of the EC), and Subrata Gupta, the special roll observer for the state. Their collective presence highlighted the importance the Election Commission places on the timely and flawless completion of the electoral roll revision in West Bengal.
