In a stern warning to potential fraudsters, West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manoj Agarwal, declared on Friday that individuals submitting bogus or fake documents to enroll as voters could face imprisonment for up to one year. This strong caution comes just before the commencement of the crucial SIR-2 hearing process for voters.
Strict Legal Action Against Fraudulent Voter Enrollments
The SIR-2 hearing process is scheduled to begin on Saturday, February 3, and will continue until February 7. However, in Diamond Harbour block 2, the hearings for over 200 voters were initiated a day earlier, on Friday itself. CEO Agarwal explicitly warned those attending the hearings to present only valid and genuine documents.
The official highlighted a serious concern regarding foreigners who have illegally acquired Indian identity documents and managed to get their names into the electoral rolls. Agarwal stated that such individuals would face criminal proceedings if their offences are detected during the SIR hearing. Beyond the Election Commission's actions, these cases will also be referred to the Union Home Ministry and multiple central agencies for thorough document re-verification and further legal action.
Invoking the Representation of the People Act
Echoing the CEO's warning, Subrata Gupta, the Election Commission's special roll observer, cited the legal provisions in place. He referred to Section 31 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, which stipulates that any person making a false declaration in connection with the preparation, revision, or correction of an electoral roll is punishable.
"Offenders face up to one-year imprisonment, a fine, or both for knowingly providing false information," Gupta explained. He further added that individuals could also face additional punishment under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
A Window for Correction and Accountability of Officials
The Election Commission has provided a clear path for those who may have been erroneously listed. Another EC official clarified that individuals who lack proper documents but are listed as 'unmapped voters' in the draft rolls should admit their mistake during the hearing and voluntarily withdraw their names. By doing so, they can escape criminal proceedings.
The official warned, however, that if they fail to admit the mistake and their irregularities are detected during document verification, they will certainly face criminal charges. The accountability does not stop with the voter. The Commission also stated that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) found responsible for listing foreigners or ineligible persons in the electoral roll will face strict disciplinary action.
Even in cases where documents appear genuine, the EC will act on specific intelligence. "If there are inputs from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) with concrete proof that individuals manipulated documents to obtain Indian identity illegally, they will face criminal proceedings," the official affirmed.
Enhanced Vigilance During Hearing Process
To ensure the integrity of the hearing process, the Election Commission has deployed micro-observers to keep a close watch. Notably, the Commission has decided not to allow any Booth Level Agent (BLA) during these hearings to maintain impartiality.
In preparation for this critical exercise, the EC conducted a training session for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) on Friday. Furthermore, roll observers have been instructed to visit various hearing venues across the state to prevent any malpractice. Their mandate includes closely monitoring the proceedings, recording any deviations from established norms, and promptly reporting any irregularities to the higher authorities of the Election Commission.
