The Election Commission of India is looking into instances where electoral officers in West Bengal accepted unlisted identity-proof documents during the claims and objections session for the draft voters list, contrary to the ECI’s instructions. The ECI had specified 13 acceptable documents for identity proof and directed officers not to consider any others. Despite clear guidelines, some officers reportedly allowed unlisted documents, causing delays and accusations of voter harassment.
District Magistrates and Electoral Officers were instructed to ensure strict adherence to the ECI’s guidelines. The acceptance of unlisted documents has led to delays in the Special Intensive Revision process, as voters with such documents will need to be called back for hearings with the approved documents. The Commission is contemplating seeking explanations from the officers who disregarded the specified guidelines.
The deadline for submitting claims and objections to the draft voters’ list has passed, with hearing sessions scheduled until February 7. The final voters’ list is set to be released on February 14. The ECI aims to conduct 7,00,000 hearings daily at 6,500 centers to meet the deadlines for the hearings and list publication. Following the final voters’ list publication, the ECI’s full bench will visit West Bengal, and subsequently, the Assembly election dates will be announced.
