Kolkata, Dec 02: The Election Commission of India has raised concerns over reports of 100 per cent enumeration across 2,208 polling booths in West Bengal, directing officials to submit detailed clarifications. The Commission observed that the absence of deceased, absent, or shifted voters in these booths appears improbable and requires strict verification.
Officials explained that the scrutiny was ordered after all enumeration forms were reportedly returned filled in these booths, suggesting no untraceable or duplicate voters. The Commission noted that such figures are statistically unusual, given the scale of the electoral roll revision exercise.
District Election Officers have been instructed to submit their reports promptly, with the Commission emphasizing that transparency and accuracy in the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) process are critical to maintaining public trust.
Sources revealed that South 24 Parganas district recorded the highest number of booths with 100 per cent enumeration claims. The Commission has extended the revision process in several states and union territories to ensure thorough verification.
Meanwhile, political parties have raised concerns. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that certain Block Development Officers were pressuring Booth Level Officers to share their OTPs, enabling manipulation of voter lists by including names of deceased individuals, those who have shifted, and even illegal immigrants. The Commission has taken note of these allegations and assured strict monitoring.
Election Commission officials reiterated that the integrity of the electoral rolls is fundamental to free and fair elections. They confirmed that detailed scrutiny will continue until all anomalies are addressed.
