Are Records of Over 100 Polling Booths in Bengal Missing?
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Synopsis
A concerning situation has emerged in West Bengal, where records of approximately 100 polling booths are missing. As the Election Commission prepares for a new Special Intensive Revision, the Chief Electoral Officer plans to address this issue with the ECI, potentially leading to significant electoral implications. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
Key Takeaways
- Missing voter records: Over 100 polling booths in West Bengal lack documentation.
- Request for 2003 list: The CEO plans to request using the 2003 voters' list for the upcoming SIR.
- Geographical impact: Affected areas include traditional strongholds of the Trinamool Congress.
- Government tensions: Ongoing disputes between the state government and ECI over election officials' suspensions.
- Potential penalties: Election officials face serious legal repercussions if found guilty of misconduct.
Kolkata, Aug 13 (NationPress) The documentation for the voters' lists of approximately one hundred polling booths in West Bengal, following the last Special Intensive Revision conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 2002, is currently unavailable.
The 2022 list is anticipated to serve as the foundation for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) this year. Sources from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in West Bengal indicated that the situation will be reported to the ECI, and a request will be made to utilize the draft voters' list from 2003 for the upcoming SIR.
According to insider information, for certain booths, records from the 2002 post-SIR are entirely missing. In other cases, the lists have suffered damage rendering them impossible to upload to the Commission's server.
Reports suggest that a significant portion of the polling booths lacking records are located in South 24 Parganas, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, and Birbhum districts, which are known strongholds of the Trinamool Congress.
This revelation emerges amid ongoing tensions between the ECI and the state government regarding the suspension of four election officials in two Assembly constituencies across two districts of West Bengal. These officials were suspended due to their involvement in the improper addition of names to the electoral rolls for these constituencies.
After the state government recently informed the ECI that it would not comply with the suspension order, the Commission summoned Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to its headquarters in Delhi for discussions.
All eyes are now on the results of the meeting between Pant and ECI officials.
The disputes surrounding the disciplinary measures against the four election officers began early on, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee contesting the Commission's directive, asserting that no action would be taken against these officers since they are state employees.
The allegations against these four officials include not only a failure in their roles as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant EROs (AEROs) while processing applications but also a breach of data security protocols by sharing login credentials of the election registration database with unauthorized individuals.
If found guilty, the penalties for these individuals could involve imprisonment for a minimum of three months, potentially extending to two years, along with fines as stipulated by legal guidelines.
Point of View
It is essential to approach this situation with a balanced perspective. The absence of voter records raises significant concerns about electoral integrity, especially in regions traditionally aligned with specific political parties. The ongoing clash between the Election Commission and the state government over the suspension of election officials further complicates the landscape. It is imperative that all actions taken promote transparency and uphold the democratic process.
NationPress
07/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason for the missing records?
The missing records stem from the last Special Intensive Revision conducted in 2002, with some documents damaged and others entirely unaccounted for.
Which areas are primarily affected?
The majority of the affected polling booths are located in South 24 Parganas, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, and Birbhum districts.
What actions are being taken regarding this issue?
The Chief Electoral Officer plans to inform the Election Commission and request permission to use the 2003 draft voters' list for the upcoming SIR.
What are the implications of this situation?
The missing records could affect the electoral process, leading to questions about the integrity of voting in the upcoming elections.
How is the state government responding?
The state government has indicated it will not comply with the ECI's order to suspend four election officials, leading to further tensions.
