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Bengal SIR process: The Election Commission has given a strong message rejecting all the allegations of TMC amid the increasing political tension over the SIR process in West Bengal. The Commission clearly said that pressure or threats on BLO-ERO-DEO will not be tolerated. DGP and Kolkata Police Commissioner were instructed to ensure security while orders were also issued to shift the CEO office to a safe place and build new booths.
New Delhi. The Election Commission on Thursday took a very strict stance on the increasing political tension amid the voter list reform or SIR in West Bengal. Describing the allegations made by TMC as completely baseless, the Commission clearly said that no interference in the independence of BLOs, EROs and DEOs will be tolerated. The ECI, in the meeting with the TMC delegation, refuted every allegation and bluntly said that even though these officers are state government employees, they are under the control of the Commission on election duty and it will ensure their safety and impartiality.
ECI also warned that attempts to threaten or influence BLOs under the pretext of correcting the entry of dead, transferred or duplicate voters will not be accepted at any cost. The Commission told TMC that if they have any objection or claim then they should do so after December 9, when the draft voter list will be made public. In this connection, the Election Commission issued a letter to the state DGP and Kolkata Police Commissioner asking them to ensure that workers of any political party do not put pressure on BLOs and they can do their work without interference and without fear.
ECI also directed all DEOs to create new polling stations in slums, high-rise buildings and gated colonies so that the SIR process can be more accurate and easier. A major decision was also taken to shift the CEO office of West Bengal to a place with better security, as there were indications of security breach recently. ECI has directed Kolkata Police to provide full security to both the existing and new offices.
- ECI completely rejected all the allegations of TMC, emphasized on the independence of BLO–ERO–DEO.
- Strong warning not to try to pressure or threaten BLOs, including dead/duplicate voter issue.
- Instructions to DGP and Police Commissioner – ensure security of BLOs, political interference should be stopped.
- Orders to shift CEO office to a safe place and build new booths, raise objections after December 9.
This entire incident shows that the SIR process is not just a list reform but has become a big test of the political environment of the state, where the Commission is making its strictness felt at every step.
