Election Commission Cites Violence, Opposes SIR Hearings at Panchayat Offices
In a significant development, the Election Commission of India has formally communicated to the Supreme Court its strong opposition to conducting Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) hearings at panchayat offices. This stance comes in response to petitions filed by Trinamool Congress MPs Derek O'Brien and Dola Sen, with the commission citing a series of violent incidents and an unsafe working environment at the local level in West Bengal.
Commission Raises Safety Concerns in Counter-Affidavit
The Election Commission submitted a detailed counter-affidavit on Saturday, which was the final scheduled day for the SIR hearings. In this document, the poll panel explicitly stated that the atmosphere at panchayat levels is not conducive for conducting these crucial electoral processes. The commission highlighted multiple incidents from various areas, including Itahar, Farakka, and Chakulia, to substantiate its claims of a deteriorating law-and-order situation.
Officials from the Bengal Chief Electoral Office confirmed on Sunday that the commission's primary concern is the safety of its personnel. The affidavit described how micro-observers, booth-level officers, and other commission officials have expressed genuine fear for their lives while attempting to carry out their duties in these regions.
Specific Incidents Cited as Evidence
The Election Commission provided specific examples to illustrate the severity of the situation. Farakka and Chakulia were particularly highlighted, with the commission describing these areas as having turned into "virtual battlefields" during the SIR hearings. This alarming characterization underscores the intensity of the disturbances reported.
Furthermore, the commission referenced images and reports of additional violent acts, including the burning of a Block Development Officer's (BDO) office. These incidents collectively paint a picture of a hostile environment that the Election Commission believes compromises the integrity and safety of the electoral revision process.
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
This move by the Election Commission raises important questions about the feasibility of conducting fair and secure electoral activities at the grassroots level in certain regions. The commission's reluctance to use panchayat offices for SIR hearings suggests a deep-seated concern over the potential for violence to disrupt democratic processes.
The counter-affidavit serves as a formal record of the challenges faced by election officials in West Bengal, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures and alternative arrangements to ensure that electoral rolls can be revised without intimidation or danger. This development is likely to have significant repercussions for how future electoral exercises are planned and executed in areas with similar security concerns.
