West Bengal CEO Requests Extension for Voter Hearing Deadline from Election Commission
In a significant development ahead of the electoral roll publication, West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Agarwal, announced on Friday that he will seek an extension from the Election Commission of India for the deadline to complete Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) hearings. This request specifically targets several assembly constituencies within the Kolkata North Lok Sabha seat, as well as districts including Malda and South 24 Parganas.
Deadline Extension for Key Constituencies
The original deadline set by the Election Commission is February 7, but Agarwal indicated that 15 to 20 out of the state's 294 assembly constituencies may require an additional two to three days to finalize the hearing process. "We will write for a deadline extension, and EC will do exactly what we seek," he stated confidently during a press briefing in Kolkata.
Notably, the CEO will also request extra time for the Kurseong assembly constituency to conduct a special hearing involving nuns from the Missionaries of Charity, highlighting the inclusive approach to voter registration.
Logistical Challenges and District-Level Reports
Agarwal has directed all District Electoral Officers (DEOs) to submit proposals for deadline extensions by Friday night if necessary. He revealed that DEOs from Kolkata North, Malda, and South 24 Parganas have already communicated the need for more time due to various hurdles.
- In Kolkata North, a shortage of personnel has slowed SIR work since its initiation on November 4, affecting constituencies like Chowringhee, Entally, Beleghata, and Jorasanko.
- Malda and South 24 Parganas face delays because of numerous voters with "logical discrepancies" in their enumeration forms, complicating the verification process.
Despite these challenges, hearings have concluded in Shyampukur, Maniktala, and Kashipur-Belgachia within the Kolkata North Lok Sabha constituency. Overall, 20 out of 24 DEOs have reported completion of hearings in their respective areas.
Electoral Roll Publication and Poll Phasing Proposal
The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on February 14, making timely completion of hearings crucial. Agarwal also mentioned that approximately 4 to 5 lakh electors did not attend the hearings, and their names will be excluded from the final voter lists, underscoring the importance of public participation in the democratic process.
In a related move, the CEO proposed conducting assembly polls in a single phase, a shift from the eight-phase spread in the 2021 assembly elections and the seven-phase structure of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. This suggestion aims to streamline the electoral process and enhance efficiency.
Election Commission's Response and Future Steps
To address the backlog, the Election Commission has already deployed additional assistant electoral registration officers in South 24 Parganas to expedite hearings. Agarwal emphasized that the extension request is targeted only at specific constituencies and not the entire state, ensuring a focused approach to resolving delays.
"After receiving the DEOs' proposals, I will write to EC tonight or tomorrow morning seeking extension of the hearing deadline for those assembly constituencies," he added, outlining the immediate next steps in this electoral preparation phase.
