Image: IANS
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has appointed four additional special roll observers for West Bengal to bolster oversight of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, according to a notification.The appointees are Ratan Biswas, Vikas Singh, Sandeep Rewaji Rathod and Dr Shailesh.
“The SROs will closely monitor the revision and verification exercises and ensure strict adherence to statutory instructions,” an official was quoted as saying by PTI.”The SROs were appointed to ensure transparency, accuracy, and uniform implementation of instructions related to electoral rolls. They will independently review the process on the ground and flag any deviations for immediate corrective action,” he added.In addition to the SROs, the Election Commission has deployed observers at various levels to monitor the Special Intensive Revision exercise. The official said the move aims to strengthen public confidence in the integrity of the electoral rolls. The appointments take effect immediately and will remain in force until further orders, the notification read.The revision drive has been ongoing in West Bengal for more than two months, causing confusion among citizens and placing extreme pressure on field staff. Several BLOs have reportedly died from health complications or suicide, attributed to the increased workload.Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the ongoing SIR in the state, alleging that a process meant to be constructive has already led to 77 deaths and left several others hospitalised.”It is shocking that an exercise which should have been constructive and productive has already seen 77 deaths with 4 attempts to suicide and 17 persons falling sick and necessitating hospitalisation,” she wrote in her letter to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Mamata Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission, saying the ongoing Special Intensive Revision is putting citizens under undue pressure and scrutiny.She described the process as “relentless harassment” of ordinary people and emphasized that careful human judgment is essential, as the revision forms the foundation of democracy and the constitutional framework.Criticising the Election Commission, the Chief Minister said even the “elderly, infirm, and seriously ill” are not being spared. She added that many voters are being forced to travel 20–25 km to attend hearings, which have been centralised rather than decentralised.Amid the outcry, the poll panel announced 160 additional SIR hearing centres, mostly in North Bengal, taking into account geographical challenges and voter accessibility, officials said.