EC reviews West Bengal's readiness for SIR

Kolkata: A high-level review meeting on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) preparedness was held in West Bengal, where a team from the Election Commission of India (ECI) led by Deputy Election Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti assessed the state's readiness. The team held a series of meetings in Kolkata, Rajarhat-Gopalpur, and Barasat with District Electoral Officers, Booth Level Officers (BLOs), and other election officials.

The first review meeting was held on Wednesday at the office of West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal, with several Deputy CEOs in attendance. During a video conference, Seema Khanna, DG (IT)-ECI, stressed the need to properly verify pre-printed enumeration forms and ensure accurate uploading of supporting documents.

Officials discussed BLOs' key role, reviewed Bihar's SIR process, and emphasised booth-wise mapping. The meeting also covered E-roll mapping (2002-2025), BLO appointments and training, printing arrangements, volunteer support, BLO kits, and status of Forms 6, 7, and 8.


District Election Officers, EROs, AEROs, Supervisors, and BLOs from Kolkata and North 24 Parganas participated. After meetings in Rajarhat-Gopalpur and Barasat, Agarwal said BLO-related operational issues were discussed.

The ECI team, along with Agarwal, will visit Kolaghat, Bankura, and Jhargram on Thursday for field reviews.

Modi should be conscious as shah behaving like PM: Mamata

As a high-level ECI team visited Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal on Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of influencing the Commission to conduct the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound states.

Banerjee questioned whether the ECI was acting for the BJP or upholding democratic rights, alleging the move was politically motivated and timed to disrupt Bengal's festive season.

"This is Amit Shah's game. Can the SIR process be completed in 15 days during Puja season? What are they trying to do-protect democracy or serve one party?" she asked, adding that the Prime Minister should be cautious, as Shah was "behaving like the acting PM."