Objectives and Challenges of SIR in West Bengal

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has sparked significant controversy in West Bengal. And its worth discussing in detail, especially since 12 states and union territories are currently undergoing this process. Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress has been constantly lashing upon the election commission. Only SIR in West Bengal has faced such massive obstacles and controversies.

5 Key takeaways in SIR in West Bengal

1. Removal of Deceased Voters

   The last SIR in West Bengal was conducted in 2002. It’s quite obvious that a huge number of voters have died in the intervening period.  The SIR process will certainly eliminate these names. The ruling parties or the powerful lobby of the locales use them for rigging through proxy voting. Unofficial sources reveal that there are around 75 deceased voters per booth in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee, the chairperson of Trinamool Congress is not ignorant about this.

2. Permanently Migrated Voters

   Migration is a pressing concern, particularly in economically disadvantaged states. We can notice a continuous flow of outbound-migration mainly from the rural West Bengal. Though Mamata Banerjee has arranged adequate dolls. But the lack of industrialization and jinx-ridden economic conditions force the villagers to migrate for better-living. The Political muscle power and extortion of Trinamool Congress play the role of a dollop. However, the number of permanent migrated voters are huge in number in the backward state like West Bengal, which will certainly cast a massive impact on SIR in West Bengal

3. Duplicate Entries in SIR in West Bengal

   Strange, as it may seem, but the fact of life remains that duplicate voter entries persist. This happens mainly because of casual attitude of citizens. The lack of right knowledge about the constitutional procedure just works as add-on. It’s also bizarre that sometimes the political masters prohibit them to exclude the name. Even the name of the icon Prashant Kishor was found in two voter lists. More shockingly, One TV channel reported the existence of one voter in 44 voter lists.

4. Illegal Immigrants or ineligible voters

   Any Indian citizen below the age 18 comes under ineligible voters. The story does not end here. Repeated reports reveal that there are huge illegal immigrants, who also possess the voter rights. Live TV shows pointed at some such voters, who have confessed in front of the camera that they have exercised their voter rights in West Bengal. The BSF is undoubtedly culpable as they have allowed the entries of such illegal immigrants.

   But the bigger picture lies in the doctrine of the rulers. The Trinamool Congress leaders of the bordering areas with the help of the administration provides them safe passage. They also construct makeshift shelters near water bodies or wasteland or other desolate areas. There are specific agencies, who prepare the mandatory citizenship documents like Aadhaar card, Voter card, Ration cards in lieu of money. The mass exodus in some border areas have raised concerns for all. In fact, critics say that Mamata Banerjee use them as her core vote banks.

5. Non-Submission of Enumeration Forms

   This is a procedural problem. If one fails to submit the duly filled-up enumeration form to the respective BLO, the name will be struck off. However, the election commission has arranged online enumeration form submission procedure to assist the temporary migrants, which seems to be quite simple.

5 Key Obstacles in SIR in West Bengal

1. Political Pressure

   The loud protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) right from the start make the ruling party’s intentions clear. Initially they left no stone unturned to stop SIR in West Bengal. While they failed to stop the SIR,  their agitation and moves against the SIR have become vibrant.

   The frequent letters of Mamata Banerjee to the CEO, Manoj Agarwal make it further evident. Even high-ranked delegation team visited the Chief Election Commissioner just a couple of days back. They are linking all the deaths to SIR. Mamata Banerjee had come down to the street twice against SIR. Abhishek Banerjee with the help of I-PACK has been continuously hurling abuses on the Election Commission. The Booth Level Officers have been constantly keeping the Booth Level officers under pressure.

2. Non-cooperation of Administration during SIR in West Bengal

   The Election Commission didn’t face much problem in conducting SIR in Bihar for the “double-engine” Government. They had got fullest cooperation of the Administration. But it can not become a cakewalk in the opposition-ruled states. Perhaps they have started facing the hardest obstacle in West Bengal of Mamata Banerjee. The team of BLOs including a lot of party rank holders summoned the CEO office for 36 hours.

   They have created hurdles for the CEO in building up the permanent infrastructural facilities for the booths through a central system.  The Mackintosh Burn Ltd withdrew themselves from the job due to immense pressure from the administration. When the Trinamool Congress supporters surrounded the CEO office, the Administration remained inactive. Reports reveal that the Administration has not released the funds to pay the salaries of the BLOs. They are also hesitant in sending the required documentation to the CEO for deceased on-duty BLOs. The Government has not sanctioned even the  recruitment of 1000 data entry operators from an impartial agency. We have to wait and watch till the hearing stage after the publication of draft voter list.

3. Workload on BLOs

   As the administration is reluctant in sanctioning leaves for all the BLOs, they have been facing a paramount pressure. The time allotted seems to be very less, for distribution, collection of the enumeration forms. On top of it, they are to upload them also. As a rule, one BLO may have to visit one’s house thrice, if remains untraceable. Moreover, the accuracy of data entry remains troublesome in West Bengal. Most of the voters fail to accurately fill up their details of 2002 voter lists. However, we can remain optimistic as most of the BLOs have already completed their major portion of job.  The CEO Manoj Agarwal has congratulated the BLOs.

4. Inefficient/ Unwilling BLOs

   There are many Booth Level Officers, who are not clear about the rules of the SIR. They succumb to many questions of the voters. Some unwilling BLOs had been reported to open their offices under the guideline of the Trinamool Congress. The voters used to stand in queues to collect and submit the forms. The news reports have prompted the Election Commission to immediately act upon them. In some cases, the husbands of the BLOs are found to do the job on their behalf, which raises question about data security.

5. Technical Problems

   The poor internet connection and computer illiteracy remain as pivotal bottle neck for the upload of enumeration forms. It’s reported that some BLOs are seeking assistance from their family members for the upload, which is again a serious concern regarding privacy. Indeed, the elderly aged BLOs are not very comfortable with the modern tools. The Election Commission has to consider this in future implementation. After all, experience is the best teacher of life.

Latest Update:

The Election Commission reports raised serious concerns about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). A total of 2,208 polling booths across West Bengal recorded zero exclusions. According to the data, not a single voter had died, shifted, married, duplicated, or become untraceable in the past 23 years. The report was released on November 1. Such an absurd outcome immediately sparked controversy. The figures changed overnight. The number of such booths dropped from 2,208 to 480. Shamik Bhattacharya may now find a moment of relief. The situation appears to have shifted drastically in what initially seemed like a one-sided game. It’s worth mentioning, the Election Commission had already appointed 12 special observers in the state just days earlier.

Conclusion on SIR in West Bengal

We honor the intent of the election commission, but they are also to look at addressing their loopholes to make the SIR process a smooth and successful one.