Bengal SIR: ECI Directs Micro-Observers and SROs to Flag Any Electoral Deviations
Special Roll Observers and Micro-Observers instructed to report unlisted or disputed documents Madhyamik admit cards only valid with pass certificates
Bengal, Jan 23 : Amid concerns over unlisted identity documents being accepted during hearings on claims and objections to the draft voters’ list in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued strict instructions to micro observers and special roll observers (SROs) to report such cases daily.
According to sources from the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office, the ECI has laid out a stepwise procedure for raising objections. If a micro-observer disagrees with the decision of an Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant ERO (AERO) regarding a document’s acceptability, they must first record their objections along with explanations directly with the concerned officer.
If the ERO or AERO does not address the objection, the micro observer is required to escalate the matter to the SRO. The SRO will review the case and coordinate with District Magistrates (DMs) and District Electoral Officers (DEOs), flagging any unresolved disagreements to the ECI via the CEO’s office.
The ECI has reiterated that Madhyamik exam admit cards issued by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) will not be accepted as standalone identity proof. These will only be considered valid when submitted along with the Madhyamik pass certificate.
Officials indicated that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process may see extensions in deadlines for completing hearings and publishing the final voters’ list, although no specific timeframe has been confirmed. The current schedule sets February 7 as the deadline for concluding hearings on claims and objections.
