West Bengal Electoral Roll Revision Sparks Major Controversy Over Officer List
A significant political controversy has erupted in West Bengal regarding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with the state government's submission of 8,505 Group B officers now under intense scrutiny from both the Election Commission and opposition parties.
Supreme Court Directive and Government Response
The West Bengal government submitted the list of officers in compliance with a Supreme Court directive issued on Monday. The apex court had ordered the state administration to ensure all 8,505 Group B officers, whose names were presented in court, report for duty before district electoral officers or electoral registration officers by 5 pm Tuesday. According to the court's instructions, officials found eligible from this list would assist the EROs and assistant EROs in the crucial electoral roll revision process.
On Tuesday, the government transmitted the list of officers via WhatsApp to the Chief Electoral Officer's office, but this digital submission has raised immediate questions about the authenticity and classification of the personnel included.
Election Commission's Concerns Over Officer Classification
Senior officials within the Chief Electoral Officer's office have expressed serious doubts about the classification of many individuals on the submitted list. "There are many officials in the list who are in doubt as to whether they are officially Group B employees," revealed a senior official from the CEO's office. "Especially lower division clerk, clerk cum typist, a section of upper division clerk, office assistant, supervisor, apart from several office bearers."
The official further elaborated that questions have emerged among Election Commission officials regarding whether these individuals are genuinely Group B or gazetted officers. "Moreover, the WhatsApp list of 8,505 personnel includes the names of many personnel who are said to be serving as AEROs or are already involved in the verification of hearing documents," the official added, indicating potential duplication of duties.
According to sources, the Election Commission is now preparing a specific verification list to properly identify and classify the officers. The state government has allegedly failed to provide requested personal information or biodata that would help resolve the classification confusion surrounding officer ranks.
Opposition Allegations of Manipulation
Senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari launched a scathing attack on the Mamata Banerjee government on Tuesday, alleging systematic manipulation of the officer list. "Mamata Banerjee has passed off numerous Group C state officials as Group B," Adhikari claimed. "She has even brought retired Group B and Group C officials into the list, violating EC guidelines and the Supreme Court directive. She has taken a serious risk in violation of the assurances made by her government."
Adhikari's allegations suggest that the West Bengal government has included names of many Group C employees as well as retired Group B officers in the list of 8,505 officials, potentially misleading both the court and the election commission.
State Government's Firm Denial
The West Bengal government has issued a strong rebuttal to all allegations of irregularities. In an official statement, the administration declared: "It has been brought to the notice of the state government that some interested quarters are intentionally distorting the contents of the database of names of Group B officials submitted to the ECI, in pursuance of the observation made by Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 09.02.26."
The government clarified that the list of Group B employees submitted to the Election Commission of India strictly follows existing pay-level criteria as notified by the Finance Department of the Government of West Bengal. "The preparation and submission of the list of Group 'B' employees has been carried out scrupulously following these notified norms, without any deviation," the statement emphasized.
According to the government's explanation, the classification of state government employees into Group A, B, C and D has been clearly defined in accordance with existing rules through a memorandum issued in October 2020. "In this context, the statements recently made in the media by certain sections alleging irregularities or manipulation are completely fabricated and baseless," the government concluded in its defense.
Broader Implications for Electoral Process
This controversy emerges at a critical juncture in West Bengal's electoral preparation timeline. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls represents a fundamental component of ensuring fair and transparent elections, and any questions about the personnel involved in this process could potentially undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
The Supreme Court's active involvement in monitoring this process underscores the significance of proper implementation. With the court having set specific deadlines for officer deployment and the Election Commission now scrutinizing the submitted list, the coming days will likely see further developments in this unfolding political and administrative drama.
This dispute also reflects the ongoing political tensions between the ruling Trinamool Congress government and opposition parties in West Bengal, with electoral processes frequently becoming battlegrounds for broader political conflicts. The resolution of this particular controversy will have implications not only for the current electoral roll revision but potentially for the broader electoral landscape in the state.
