When Will the Final Voters' List for Bengal Be Published?
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Key Takeaways
Kolkata, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) revealed on Tuesday that the final voters' list for West Bengal will now be published on February 28.
In addition, the ECI has set February 14 as the new deadline to conclude the hearings on claims and objections concerning the draft voters' list in West Bengal.
This phase of hearings will lead to a thorough review, culminating in the publication of the final voters' list on February 28.
According to updated timelines from a document obtained by IANS, after the hearings conclude on February 14, there will be a document review until February 21.
The adjustment of polling stations will wrap up by February 25, while health assessments of polling stations will be finalized by February 27.
Ultimately, the final voters' list will be made public on February 28.
This decision to adjust the deadlines was made during a meeting involving West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal and the full commission at the ECI's headquarters in New Delhi.
The initial deadline for completing hearings was February 7, and the final voters' list was originally set to be published on February 14.
Nonetheless, the need for extending both deadlines arose after a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant mandated that Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) be given at least an additional week post-February 14 to conduct scrutiny and make necessary decisions.
Following the release of the final voters' list, the full commission will visit West Bengal to assess the situation.
Shortly thereafter, the dates for the important assembly elections scheduled later this year will be announced.