As part of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal, distribution of enumeration forms has started from Tuesday, November 4. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have started the work of delivering them door to door. In some places, they are also explaining the public about this form. Help is also being provided to fill up the form physically. From November 4 – December 4 the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will move from door to door with the partially printed enumeration forms matching and linking the voters to the voters list from 2002-2004.
While announcing the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in Bengal, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had said that this work can also be done online. This facility will be introduced for migrants and citizens living abroad. But the online facility was not launched on Tuesday, the first day of distribution of enumeration forms. The commission assured that this form will be available online in a day or two, citing technical issues. However, the commission has not given a specific date.
SIR procedure – What citizens will have to do
According to the SIR procedure, all voters will have to fill the enumeration form. Then it will be collected and all the information will be compared with the voter list of 2002, i.e. the last SIR conducted in the state. Based on that, names will be featured in the new intensively revised voter list. BLOs have started visiting door to door with this form from Tuesday.
Even though Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced that the enumeration form can be filled online by visiting the ECI website, it is yet to start. This system is basically so that expatriate Bengalis can participate in the SIR from abroad if they are unable to appear in person during this time.
The State Election Commission has informed that due to technical problems, the form has not been available online since Tuesday. However, the commission assured that it will be launched within a day or two. Voters are anxious that due to this delay in the online work, there may be problems later.
TMC alleges SIR started in haste before Bengal elections
Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has repeatedly complained that the Election Commission has started the work of making special intensive revision in the voter list without making proper preparations. The ruling party has alleged that the exercise has been started in haste keeping in mind West Bengal Assembly Elections which are due next year.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said on Monday, November 3, that the SIR was a hurried exercise that aims to terrorise the people of West Bengal. The TMC plans to hit the streets to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on Tuesday.
Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said that the SIR was a hurried exercise that aims to terrorise the people of West Bengal. The TMC plans to hit the streets to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on Tuesday.