CEC Gyanesh Kumar orders to preserve SIR data for 5 years

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has ordered that all Special Intensive Revision (SIR) records be preserved for the next five years, warning of punitive action against officials in case of any mistakes. According to sources in the Election Commission of India, the move is aimed at ensuring accountability and enabling future action if irregularities are detected in voter lists.

During a meeting with district magistrates on Friday, Kumar cautioned DMs, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant EROs that all decisions taken during the SIR process would remain stored in the Commission’s database for several years. He warned that if any foreign national is found in the voter list in the future, disciplinary action would be initiated against the responsible officers, even years later, with no concessions granted in cases of deliberate errors. The Commission also raised concerns over the uploading of unacceptable documents such as newspaper clippings, blank pages and blurred photographs. These were reportedly shown to district magistrates and central observers during a presentation, with questions raised over how such documents were verified. DMs have been instructed to personally ensure that only documents approved by the Election Commission and the Supreme Court are accepted by EROs and AEROs.

District Election Officers have been directed to verify by 5 pm on Monday, February 16, that all required documents have been properly received and uploaded. The IT team has been asked to ensure no invalid documents remain in the system after the deadline, with the Commission warning that even a single lapse would make the concerned DM personally responsible. Observers have also been asked to immediately flag any irregularities for action.

According to sources, district magistrates of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, South and North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore were reprimanded for negligence, while the DM of East Burdwan was advised against making political statements. The directive has drawn criticism from Trinamool Congress, which alleged that the Commission was running a “landlord regime” and accused the CEC of intimidating officials involved in SIR work under tight timelines.