Is West Bengal Prepared for Special Intensive Revision? CEO Office Informs ECI

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Special intensive revision process is ready to begin in West Bengal.
- Last conducted in 2002, raising stakes for upcoming elections.
- Political tensions are high between ruling parties and the BJP.
- ECI's actions have led to legal considerations by the state government.
- Transparency and integrity in the electoral process are crucial.
Kolkata, Aug 7 (NationPress) The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office of West Bengal has informed the Election Commission of India (ECI) that preparations are complete to initiate the special intensive revision process in the state.
An insider from the CEO’s office indicated that this communication was dispatched to the ECI headquarters in Delhi after compiling reports from various district election officers regarding the ground-level readiness for the revision.
The last occurrence of special intensive revision in West Bengal was in 2002.
This year, the special intensive revision was recently completed in neighboring Bihar, where elections are approaching.
Given that assembly elections are set for next year in West Bengal, the revision process may commence at any moment.
Amid ongoing political tensions surrounding this initiative, the special intensive revision in West Bengal is anticipated to start soon.
The ruling Trinamool Congress has labeled the revision as a scheme by the BJP to implement the NRC in West Bengal.
Additionally, the Trinamool Congress has accused the ECI of acting under BJP's influence to secure their victory in the upcoming elections.
Conversely, the BJP contends that the Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are opposing this revision out of fear that the names of numerous illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators will be removed from the electoral rolls.
Currently, tensions are rising between the ECI and the West Bengal government on several fronts, signaling a potential escalation in conflict.
A recent flashpoint involves the ECI’s directive to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, which ordered the suspension of four election officers and the filing of FIRs against them.
The Commission found these officials guilty of irregularities in adding names to electoral rolls in two constituencies, a move perceived as a stern warning to all involved in the state's electoral process.
The West Bengal government is now exploring legal avenues in response to the Commission’s directive to Chief Secretary Manoj Pant.