Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to display the names of all 1.25 crore electors categorised under “logical discrepancies” during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, where assembly elections are expected in April-May.A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant issued the order while hearing pleas alleging procedural irregularities in the SIR exercise.
“The ECI has issued notices to certain persons described as falling under the category of ‘logical discrepancies’. With a view to enabling these persons, we direct that their names be displayed at Gram Panchayat Bhavans, block offices, and ward offices,” the bench said, according to ANI.The court instructed the poll body to provide clear guidance for submitting documents and objections, and asked the West Bengal government to ensure adequate manpower for the process. Individuals in the category who have not submitted their claims or objections must do so within 10 days. The bench also directed that authorised officers issue letters to facilitate document submission.The Director General of Police of West Bengal has been asked to ensure smooth conduct and prevent any law-and-order issues. Where objections are found satisfactory, applicants will be given a hearing as per the ECI’s Standard Operating Procedure.Over 1.2 crore names had been flagged under the ‘logical discrepancy’ category on the ERONET portal, sparking controversy. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee had termed it a “dubious category,” accusing the ECI of acting at the BJP’s behest. “The ECI carried out SIR in Bengal in a reckless and ill-planned manner, resulting in the deletion of nearly 58 lakh names from the electoral rolls. When even this massive purge failed to satisfy the BJP’s political objectives, a new and dubious category called ‘logical discrepancies’ was invented, forcing 1.36 crore voters to face hearings without the Commission even disclosing the complete list of names,” Banerjee had said.Earlier, the ECI extended the deadline to file claims and objections was extended from January 15 to January 19, with hearings continuing until February 7. The final electoral roll for West Bengal is scheduled to be published on February 14.
