Kolkata, January 21 (IANS). The Election Commission has issued important instructions to the State Government to ensure strict compliance of the Supreme Court order dated January 19, 2026 for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal.
This order was passed in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1089/2025 (Mostari Banu vs. Election Commission), in which the Court had emphasized on transparency, convenience in the SIR process and not putting unnecessary stress on the people. In the order, the Commission has given clear instructions that document collection, objections and hearing related to SIR will take place in Gram Panchayat buildings, public places in each taluka (sub-division), block offices and ward offices in urban areas.
The State Government is directed to provide adequate manpower to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) at Panchayat buildings, block offices and other hearing venues, so that the objections and documents of 1.25-1.36 crore people (in the logical discrepancy category) can be smoothly disposed of. There are also instructions to each District Collector and Superintendent of Police to deploy adequate staff and security forces, so that the SIR proceedings run without any hindrance.
The Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of each district have been given strict instructions to ensure that there is no law and order problem at the hearing venues and that the SIR activities are conducted in a peaceful manner. The letter warned that if any officer or department does not follow the instructions or due to omission, obstruction is created, then strict action will be taken.
The Supreme Court had expressed concern over the ‘stress and pressure’ being faced by people in the SIR as about 20 per cent of the state’s population (1.36 crore people) had received ‘logical discrepancy’ notices. The court had given directions for transparency such as displaying the names in public places, allowing submission of documents through an authorized representative and considering the Class 10 admit card as valid proof.
Let us tell you that SIR in West Bengal is a campaign to purify the voter list before the 2026 assembly elections (likely April-May).
–IANS
SCH
