Will Bengal's CEO's Office Revamp Daily Electoral Administration?
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Synopsis
In a significant step for West Bengal's electoral process, the CEO's office will launch a two-tier daily electoral administration system after the SIR notification. This aims to enhance communication and ensure efficient oversight during the revision exercise.
Key Takeaways
- Introduction of a two-tier electoral system in West Bengal.
- Daily interactions between senior and district electoral officials.
- Aim to enhance communication with political parties.
- Measures to secure booth-level officers from external pressures.
- Direct supervision of the entire process by the CEO.
Kolkata, Oct 25 (NationPress) The Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in West Bengal is set to implement a two-tier daily electoral administration system in the state right after the issuance of the notification for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Once the notification is released, an officer of the rank of additional CEO will engage in daily discussions with district magistrates, who also serve as district electoral officers. This will involve reviewing the daily advancements in the revision activities within their districts.
In a parallel effort, several joint CEOs will interact with electoral registration officers (EROs), assessing the progress of the revision tasks within their respective jurisdictions.
A source from the CEO's office revealed that this dual-tier electoral administration aims to eliminate any communication barriers between the CEO's office and the electoral administration at the district level.
The entire operation will fall directly under the oversight of the CEO.
Post-notification for the SIR, the CEO's office will also coordinate with all political entities, adopting a similar two-tier approach.
On one side, the CEO will organize a central meeting with all political parties at the CEO's office in Kolkata. Simultaneously, district magistrates will lead discussions with local party leaderships in their respective areas.
During the state-level meeting, the CEO will gather insights, demands, and concerns from the political parties regarding the SIR, while district electoral officers will focus on locality-specific matters.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has also committed to implementing various measures to ensure that booth-level officers (BLOs) remain unaffected by pressure or influences from political organizations or the state administration throughout the revision process.
These measures include full administrative control of the CEO's office over the BLOs, who are state employees, ensuring they are not reassigned by the state administration during the SIR or compelled to undertake other administrative responsibilities.
The ECI has instructed the CEO's office to prioritize the safety of BLOs, assuring them that any incidents of intimidation will be addressed rigorously.
BLOs are encouraged to manage pressure wisely and avoid confrontations, yet they must report any such incidents directly to the CEO's office, which will then liaise with ECI headquarters in New Delhi for appropriate actions.
Point of View
I recognize the importance of transparent electoral processes. The new two-tier system could significantly improve communication between state authorities and political parties, fostering a more democratic environment. Ensuring the integrity of electoral officers is crucial for maintaining public trust in the electoral system.
NationPress
26/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the two-tier daily electoral administration system?
The two-tier system involves daily interactions between senior electoral officers and district-level officials to streamline the electoral revision process.
How will this system affect political parties?
The system aims to foster better communication and gather feedback from political parties at both state and district levels.
What measures are in place for the safety of booth-level officers?
The ECI has ensured that BLOs will be protected from political pressure, with strict measures in place against intimidation.
