Kolkata Election Commission Faces Massive Backlog as Deadline Approaches
In Kolkata, the Election Commission is confronting a significant challenge with approximately 55 lakh cases still awaiting disposal, despite the imminent deadline. According to the official schedule, the scrutiny of documents and final disposal must be completed by February 21, leaving merely 48 hours to address this substantial backlog.
Breakdown of Pending Cases and Ineligible Electors
A senior EC official disclosed on Thursday that the commission has identified over 4.4 lakh ineligible electors after scrutinizing their Summary Revision (SIR) documents. These names will be excluded from the final electoral roll. The official elaborated, "Currently, about 25 lakh cases are pending with Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) for disposal. Additionally, micro-observers have forwarded 30 lakh cases to EROs/AEROs for reverification due to identified discrepancies."
Discrepancies leading to reverification include illegible forms, improper document uploads, and lack of proper linkage. The combined total of 55 lakh cases represents a critical workload that must be managed swiftly.
Officials Address Capacity Concerns and Potential Extensions
When questioned about the feasibility of clearing such a large volume—affecting more than one-third of the 1.5 crore voters who received hearing notices, including those with unmapped or logical discrepancies—within the tight timeframe, the official remained optimistic. "It's not a big deal as we have 8,000 officers," he stated. However, he acknowledged the possibility of seeking more time from the commission if EROs/AEROs cannot complete the task. "I will ask District Election Officers (DEOs) if they need additional time. Once we receive their response, we will request an extension beyond February 21."
Accountability and Actions Against Errant Officers
The official highlighted issues with document uploads, noting that in 8-10 lakh cases out of the 30 lakh sent for reverification, Booth Level Officers (BLOs), EROs, and AEROs failed to upload proper documents as instructed. "They will face action for the electors' harassment," he emphasized. In many instances, officers merely noted "I see and approve," which is deemed unacceptable, and disciplinary measures will be taken.
In a related development, the Election Commission has clarified that EROs and AEROs who missed the February 14 deadline for uploading hearing documents for 1.1 lakh voters will also face consequences. An EC official asserted, "Why will voters suffer for them? The EROs/AEROs must adhere to EC guidelines." Reports from DEOs will lead to actions against those found negligent.
As a result, the 1.1 lakh electors whose hearing documents were not uploaded will be excluded from the final electoral roll. These individuals will need to submit Form 6 to enroll as new voters, adding another layer to the electoral process challenges in Kolkata.
