Changes and Challenges: Electoral Roll Revision in West Bengal

The West Bengal Election Watch (WBEW) has raised concerns over the discrepancies in the current Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, noting significant deviations from the 2002 procedures. Issues include the need for proof of presence in past rolls and a lack of provisions for migrated voters, among others.

The West Bengal Election Watch (WBEW) has flagged significant gaps in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, noting a stark departure from the revision procedures of 2001-02. The organization, through information obtained via RTI, expressed concerns in a press statement about the need for voters to provide proof of presence in the 2002 electoral rolls or their ancestors' inclusion.

WBEW, affiliated with the National Election Watch (NEW) of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), highlighted the Election Commission's lack of clarity on the rationale behind these changes. A major concern is the tagging of the SIR form to a voter's old address if relocated, potentially leading to their names being marked as 'shifted' and deleted, with no option to update new addresses.

The WBEW also emphasized the absence of mechanisms for rectifying errors in spelling or addresses and grouping family members on the same electoral roll page. It criticized the omission of previous proofs of residence such as panchayat certificates and utility connections, now replaced by a stringent emphasis on citizenship proof, questioning the efficacy of these revisions in improving electoral databases.

(With inputs from agencies.)