Is a Three-member ECI Team in Bengal Today to Review Ongoing SIR Progress?
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Synopsis
A three-member ECI team has arrived in Kolkata, assessing the crucial first phase of the Special Intensive Revision. Their task is to ensure a smooth electoral process, addressing voter concerns effectively. Discover how these officials are set to impact the electoral landscape in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- Three-member ECI team visits Kolkata for SIR review.
- Team includes key officials responsible for election oversight.
- Monitoring of BLOs' responsiveness is a priority.
- First phase involves collecting voter information.
- Final voters' list expected by March 2026.
Kolkata, Nov 5 (NationPress) A trio of officials from the Election Commission of India (ECI) has landed in Kolkata to assess the ongoing initial phase of the three-part Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The team comprises Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti, Deputy Secretary Abhinav Agarwal, and Principal Secretary S.B. Joshi, and they will be in the state until November 8.
This central ECI delegation will evaluate the revision efforts across three districts in the northern region of West Bengal: Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. They will be joined by Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the chief electoral officer (CEO) of West Bengal, along with a technical team.
In the meantime, the CEO’s office has implemented measures to ensure that booth-level officers (BLOs) are promptly addressing the calls and concerns of voters.
The application, “Book a Call with BLO,” is now operational, with the CEO's office committed to continuously monitoring its usage.
“If any BLO fails to respond to a voter’s call or does not return the call in a timely manner, the CEO’s office will notify the local district election officer, who will then remind the BLO to handle the pending calls,” stated an insider from the CEO's office.
The first stage of the SIR, which commenced on Tuesday, involves BLOs visiting every household to collect voter information using enumeration forms. By the end of this phase, the draft voters' list for the state will be revealed.
In the subsequent stage, political parties and individual voters can lodge their complaints regarding the draft list, which the ECI will address.
Finally, during the third stage, the electoral registration officers (EROs) will resolve the complaints raised by political parties or individual voters before the final voters' list is published.
The entire process is anticipated to conclude by March 2026, with the previous SIR conducted in West Bengal back in 2002.
Point of View
It is imperative to recognize the significance of the Election Commission's efforts in West Bengal. The ongoing Special Intensive Revision is a crucial step in ensuring a transparent electoral process, reflecting the commitment to uphold democratic values and engage with voters effectively.
NationPress
25/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the ECI team's visit to Kolkata?
The ECI team is in Kolkata to review the ongoing first phase of the Special Intensive Revision, ensuring that voter concerns are addressed and the electoral process is transparent.
How long will the ECI team be in West Bengal?
The ECI team will remain in West Bengal until November 8.
What are the three stages of the Special Intensive Revision?
The three stages include collecting voter information, addressing complaints regarding the draft list, and finalizing the voters' list after resolving issues.
What measures are in place to monitor BLOs?
The CEO's office has implemented the 'Book a Call with BLO' app to track whether BLOs are responding to voter inquiries.
When was the last SIR conducted in West Bengal?
The last Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal was conducted in 2002.
