Did the CEC Evade Answers to Key Questions on Bengal's SIR?
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Synopsis
The Trinamool Congress delegation claims the CEC failed to address critical questions regarding the Special Intensive Revision in Bengal, raising concerns about the Election Commission's motives and the human cost of the process. Their visit to the ECI headquarters highlighted serious implications for democracy and accountability in the electoral process.
Key Takeaways
- CEC Gyanesh Kumar did not answer five critical questions posed by the Trinamool Congress.
- The Trinamool delegation expressed concerns over human toll during the revision process.
- Questions were raised about the validity of the voters' list for the upcoming elections.
- Concerns about the targeting of West Bengal while other states were ignored.
- The ECI's accountability for the impact on local citizens was questioned.
Kolkata, Nov 28 (NationPress) The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar reportedly 'failed' to address five significant inquiries posed by the Trinamool Congress concerning the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) conducted by the Election Commission in West Bengal. This assertion was made by a 10-member Trinamool delegation that visited the ECI headquarters in Delhi to present their concerns regarding the revision process in the state.
According to the delegation's leader and head of the Trinamool Congress' Parliamentary party in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien, the Election Commission overlooked multiple warnings from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the party’s general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, regarding the impossibility of completing the SIR process.
“Yet, the ECI disregarded these repeated alerts, leading to a human toll as they followed directives that evidently favor partisan interests over lives and fairness. These alarming incidents reveal a disturbing reality: the BJP, supported by a compliant Election Commission, appears ready to jeopardize human lives for political gain,” O'Brien asserted.
He further stated that the ECI could not clarify if the primary goal of the SIR was to identify illegitimate voters or alleged 'infiltrators', nor could they explain why Bengal was singled out while other border states were left untouched.
The second unanswered question, as noted by O'Brien, was whether the voters’ list used for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections was flawed — and if the current Union Cabinet, elected based on that list, could be deemed illegal.
Satabdi Roy, a four-time Lok Sabha member and deputy leader of the Trinamool Congress’s Parliamentary party in the Lok Sabha, highlighted that the ECI had no response concerning its accountability for booth-level officers (BLOs) and ordinary citizens in West Bengal who succumbed to 'inhuman pressure' and 'panic' stemming from the revision exercise.
“Will the Election Commission accept responsibility? Why is it denying ‘Bangla Sahayata Kendra’ personnel the opportunity to assist with data entry?” questioned the actress-turned-politician.
She also accused the ECI of catering to the BJP while completely disregarding opposition concerns.
Mahua Moitra, a two-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member, claimed the commission was unaware of the number of BLOs who have taken their own lives due to the stress of the SIR-related duties.
“They do not have knowledge of how many citizens have faced despair. And when inquired why this so-called initiative against infiltrators is being imposed only on Bengal, while BJP-ruled border states like Assam, Tripura, and Arunachal are left unscathed, the ECI had no justification,” Moitra added.
Point of View
The claims made by the Trinamool Congress reflect deep-seated concerns regarding electoral integrity and accountability in governance. The allegations against the Election Commission deserve thorough investigation, as they highlight potential biases in the electoral process. As a nation, we must ensure that our democratic institutions operate transparently and uphold the rights and lives of all citizens, regardless of political affiliations.
NationPress
28/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key questions raised by the Trinamool Congress?
The Trinamool Congress raised five crucial questions regarding the motives behind the Special Intensive Revision process, the legitimacy of the voters' list, and the human impact of the revision procedures.
Why does the Trinamool Congress believe the SIR process is unfair?
The party argues that the SIR process disproportionately targets West Bengal while ignoring other border states, raising concerns about political motivations behind the revision.
What has been the human cost of the SIR process according to the Trinamool Congress?
The party claims that many booth-level officers and common citizens have suffered under the pressure of the SIR process, with some even taking their own lives due to stress.
