EC flags over 100 Bengal officials for delaying voter document uploads during SIR

The Election Commission of India has identified several Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) in West Bengal for allegedly deliberately delaying the uploading of identity documents submitted during hearings on claims and objections after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. According to sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, around 120 to 150 officials have been found responsible, though the exact number has not been officially disclosed.

Sources indicated that some officials kept the document-uploading process pending for up to five days even after the extended deadline for hearings ended on February 14. As a result, a significant number of voters’ documents have reportedly not yet been entered into the system, affecting the verification process.

Officials noted that until these documents are uploaded and registered, proper scrutiny cannot be completed. This has raised concerns over meeting the February 21 deadline for concluding the verification process. Any delay in verification could potentially impact the scheduled publication of the final voter list on February 28.

According to sources, the Commission is committed to taking strict action under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act against those found guilty. Action has already been initiated against two EROs, nine AEROs, one data entry operator and three micro-observers in connection with the alleged lapses.