ECI warns of strict action over anomalies in final voter list WB

The Election Commission of India has issued a stern directive to district administrations, asking all District Election Officers (DEOs) to personally verify by 5 p.m. on 16 February that every document uploaded in connection with voter enrolment strictly conforms to the list of approved documents.

In a strong warning, the commission said that if even a single unauthorised document is found in the system after the deadline, the concerned District Magistrate (DM) would be held personally accountable. The instructions were conveyed during a videoconference on Friday with District Magistrates, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Special Roll Observers and Roll Observers. The key points of the meeting were later communicated in writing. The move comes ahead of the proposed visit of Deputy Election Commissioners and other senior officials to the state early next month.

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According to commission sources, several instances have come to light where newspaper clippings, blank pages and illegible photographs were uploaded as supporting documents for inclusion in the electoral rolls. These irregularities were reportedly demonstrated through a PowerPoint presentation before DMs and central observers. Serious questions have been raised over who uploaded such documents, how they were verified and why they were accepted in the first place. The commission made it clear that only those documents specifically prescribed by the Election Commission of India or the Supreme Court can be considered by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs). “Fabricated” or unauthorised documents will not be entertained under any circumstances, it said, placing direct responsibility on DMs to ensure compliance.

The IT team has also been instructed to maintain strict surveillance. The commission underlined that all documents and decisions will remain stored in the system for years. If, even one, two or five years later, the name of a “foreign national” is found in the electoral roll, legal action will be initiated against the responsible officials. During the meeting, the issue was described as “high risk”, particularly in view of the long administrative careers of the officers concerned. District Magistrates of Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Malda, North and South 24-Parganas and East Midnapore were reportedly reprimanded for lapses. The DM of East Burdwan was advised against making “political comments”. The Cooch Behar DM was pulled up for delay in document uploads, while the South 24-Parganas DM was asked under what authority EROs and AEROs had convened meetings with ERMOs. Observers have been directed to report any negligence by EROs, AEROs or DEOs directly to the commission.

The CEO has also been asked to immediately flag cases involving illegible or unacceptable documents for prompt action. The commission maintained that the strict measures are aimed at ensuring transparency in the electoral roll revision process, though officials admitted the directives have added to administrative pressure ahead of the senior-level visit.