Electoral Commission Issues Warning on Kolkata SIR Process Document Submission
In a significant development concerning the electoral process in Kolkata, the Election Commission of India has clarified that individuals who submitted documents other than the 13 officially notified ones during the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls hearings are unlikely to be included in the final electoral rolls. This announcement comes amid concerns over procedural violations during the voter registration process.
Non-Compliant Documents Could Lead to Voter Exclusion
According to a senior EC official, a substantial number of voters—estimated to be in the lakhs—submitted documents such as PAN cards, electricity bills, and property papers that were not among those specified by the Election Commission. The EC record indicates that many individuals, during the hearings, presented documents that were not authorized by the commission, the official stated. He further explained that, as per the established rules, these names could potentially be deleted from the final electoral rolls.
The official emphasized that affected voters would need to submit Form 6 to enroll as new voters after the final electoral list for West Bengal is published. This requirement underscores the importance of adhering to the prescribed documentation guidelines to ensure seamless inclusion in the electoral database.
Accountability of Electoral Registration Officers
The responsibility for verifying submitted documents lies with the Electoral Registration Officers and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers. While voters can submit any document, it is the duty of EROs and AEROs to ensure that only the correct papers are uploaded, noted another EC official. However, in numerous instances, these officers failed to conduct proper checks and uploaded whatever documents were presented to them.
Officials identified for dereliction of duties are likely to face disciplinary action. The anomalies were detected by special roll observers who meticulously reviewed the uploaded documents as part of their oversight responsibilities.
Role of Special Roll Observers in Ensuring Integrity
The Election Commission has deployed four special roll observers stationed at the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's office to oversee the SIR process. These observers lead a team of more than 100 micro-observers tasked with examining electors' documents uploaded after hearings.
During their verification efforts, micro-observers identified discrepancies in the submitted documents and promptly alerted the special roll observers. Subsequently, these observers informed the commission about the irregularities, highlighting systemic issues in the document upload process.
Complaints of Deliberate Errors in Document Uploads
Special roll observers have also submitted complaints regarding deliberate errors in uploading hearing documents. One notable complaint was lodged against an Electoral Registration Officer in North Kolkata. The observer noted that the ERO mentioned a voter's passport as the submitted document but uploaded images of Aadhaar and PAN cards instead.
This incident raises concerns about potential intentional mismanagement or negligence in handling sensitive voter information. The commission is taking these complaints seriously as part of its efforts to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
The ongoing scrutiny by observers aims to rectify these issues before the finalization of electoral rolls, ensuring that only eligible voters with proper documentation are included. This proactive approach underscores the EC's commitment to transparency and accuracy in voter registration.
