Election Commission has laid down firm security, venue and transparency instructions ahead of claims and objections hearings in West Bengal.
Kolkata
With the phase of hearing on claims and objections under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal set to begin after the publication of the draft voters’ list on December 16, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued detailed instructions to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to ensure strict compliance with security and procedural norms. The Commission has emphasised that any irregularity or breach of security during the hearing process must be taken seriously and addressed without delay.
Sources within the CEO’s office said the ECI has, at this stage, decided against the routine deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) for security during the hearing sessions. Instead, the Commission has chosen to rely on the state police machinery to maintain law and order and ensure a secure environment for the proceedings. However, the ECI has made it clear that this approach is conditional and subject to strict monitoring.
According to insiders, if any breach of security occurs during the hearings—whether due to negligence, oversight, or deliberate action by the state police personnel deputed at the venues—the CEO’s office is required to immediately report the matter to the Commission. Based on such reports, the ECI will decide the next course of action, which could include changes in security arrangements or stricter interventions.
The Commission has also issued a strong warning to electoral officials involved in conducting the hearings. The CEO’s office has been instructed to clearly communicate to all concerned Electoral Officers that any deliberate irregularity or deviation from established procedures during the hearing process will invite strict disciplinary action under existing legal provisions. The ECI has underlined that accountability and neutrality are non-negotiable in the revision exercise.
