Election Commission Strengthens West Bengal Electoral Roll Revision by Appointing Five Senior IAS Officers as Special Roll Observers
In a major move to reinforce the integrity of the electoral roll revision process in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed five senior IAS officers as Special Roll Observers. The decision is aimed at tightening supervision of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and ensuring the preparation of accurate, transparent, and error-free voter lists across the state.
According to officials, the deployment of senior officers with extensive administrative experience is intended to provide closer oversight at the divisional level and to ensure uniform and strict compliance with Election Commission guidelines. Each observer has been assigned responsibility for a specific division, allowing for focused monitoring and stronger accountability of field-level election machinery.
Senior IAS Officers and Divisional Responsibilities
The Election Commission has entrusted key divisions of West Bengal to experienced IAS officers currently serving as Joint Secretaries in various Union ministries. Their assignments are as follows:
Kumar Ravi Kant Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, has been designated as Special Roll Observer for the Presidency Division.
Niraj Kumar Bansod, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, will oversee the Medinipur Division.
Krishna Kumar Nirala, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has been assigned the Burdwan Division.
Alok Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, will supervise the Malda Division.
Pankaj Yadav, Joint Secretary, Department of Rural Development, has been made responsible for the Jalpaiguri Division.
These officers will monitor all aspects of electoral roll revision within their respective divisions, including verification of data, adherence to statutory procedures, and timely correction of discrepancies.
Broader Oversight Mechanism Already in Operation
The appointment of these five Special Roll Observers adds to an already robust supervisory framework put in place by the Election Commission. Earlier, retired IAS officer Subrata Gupta was appointed as Special Roll Observer for the entire SIR exercise in West Bengal.
In addition, the Commission has deployed a team of 12 serving IAS officers as Electoral Roll Observers. These officers are working closely with District Election Officers (DEOs) and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), assisting them in identifying shortcomings and implementing corrective measures wherever necessary.
Focus on Transparency and Data Accuracy
Officials in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, stated that the presence of multiple layers of senior supervision is expected to significantly improve transparency and the quality of electoral roll preparation. The Special Roll Observers have been tasked with overseeing critical processes, including door-to-door enumeration, document verification, and scrutiny of voter data received from districts.
Their responsibilities also include reviewing compliance with Election Commission norms, strengthening mechanisms for detecting errors, improving coordination among district-level teams, and ensuring that verified and authenticated data is reflected in the final electoral rolls.
The overarching objective, officials emphasized, is to ensure that no eligible voter is left out, while at the same time preventing the inclusion of ineligible names.
Supreme Court Direction on Booth Level Officer Workload
The intensified revision exercise has raised concerns about the workload on Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who play a central role in field verification. Taking note of complaints regarding excessive pressure on BLOs during the time-bound SIR process, the Supreme Court has directed states and Union Territories to consider deploying additional personnel.
The court’s intervention aims to reduce stress on frontline election staff and ensure that the revision exercise is completed efficiently without compromising accuracy.
Large Number of Forms Flagged for Verification
As of now, around 54.59 lakh enumeration forms in West Bengal have been categorised as uncollectable. These include records linked to absentee voters, duplicate entries, deceased individuals, or persons who have permanently shifted residence. Election officials have clarified that these entries will undergo rigorous verification before any final decision is taken, ensuring that genuine voters are not wrongly excluded.
Timeline of the Special Intensive Revision
The Special Intensive Revision process in West Bengal commenced on November 4, with the distribution of enumeration forms across the state. The exercise is scheduled to continue until December 11.
As per the Election Commission’s timetable, the draft electoral rolls will be published on December 16, while the final voter list is expected to be released on February 14, 2026.
With enhanced monitoring by senior IAS officers and a multi-tiered supervisory structure, the Election Commission expects the revised electoral rolls to reflect significantly improved accuracy, transparency, and public trust ahead of upcoming elections in the state.
