Election Commission Confirms No Obstacles to Electoral Roll Revision in West Bengal Despite Concerns

New Delhi:

The Election Commission asserted on Monday that there will be no obstacles in implementing the special intensive revision of voters' lists in West Bengal, as states have a constitutional obligation to provide personnel to the poll authority for conducting electoral roll cleanup exercises.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made these remarks while announcing phase two of the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 states and Union Territories, scheduled between November and February.

The territories included in this exercise are the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

When questioned about potential "bloodbath" concerns in West Bengal if the SIR exercise proceeds there, Kumar firmly stated, "There is no hurdle." He emphasized that "The EC is doing its duty and state governments are constitutionally-bound to discharge their duties... all constitutional bodies carry out their responsibility as enshrined in the constitution," citing the Commission's authority under Article 324 of the Constitution.

Kumar further added, "Maintaining law and order is a state's constitutional responsibility... states are also bound to provide necessary personnel to EC for preparing electoral rolls and conducting polls."

Addressing another query regarding demands to postpone the SIR in Kerala due to proposed local body elections, the CEC explained that no notification for holding local body polls has been issued yet, which is why the Election Commission is proceeding with the SIR in the southern state.

Assembly elections in West Bengal and Kerala are scheduled for next year, along with Assam, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu.