Bengal ready for SIR, state CEO writes to poll panel
The CEO's Wednesday letter to EC coincided with the commission uploading Bengal's SIR 2002 data on its website for most assembly segments, barring those in North 24 Parganas and Kulpi in South 24 Parganas.
North 24 Parganas, with 33 assembly constituencies, is the state's biggest district with a population of over 1 crore.
Following CEO Manoj Agarwal's letter on SIR preparedness, EC now plans to hold meetings with political parties before starting the process in Bengal. Trinamool has been vocal against the roll revision, both in Parliament and outside. Barring BJP, which has sought an SIR, most parties have publicly questioned the large-scale disenfranchisement of voters by SIR.
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An official said the data of voters' list of 2002 — when SIR was last held in Bengal — was being uploaded on the portal gradually because of server problems. If anyone failed to find his name in the list, they could provide an authentic govt identity proof to get it corrected, the official added.
"However, those born between July 1987 and Dec 2004 need to provide their identity proof along with any of their parents. But in case of those born after Dec 2004, their identity proof along with that of their parents are to be provided," the official said.
"If you voted in 2001 assembly polls, it is best to check your name in the portal of CEOWB and keep handy the copy of the voters' list as proof in case EC goes for special intensive revision. During the process of SIR, the same data can be used in the enumeration form," a senior official said.
H
e said that the purpose of releasing the 2002 data was to make people aware so that they can check if their names are in the voters' list.
The EC had asked the Bengal CEO to get all vacant posts filled, including those of deputy CEO, joint CEO and additional CEO. However, the names sent by Nabanna did not satisfy them, and the commission wanted another set of officers for these vacant posts.
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