West Bengal Congress submits memorandum to Chief Electoral Officer alleging voter list revision irregularities, faulty SIR hearing notices, and public harassment, demanding immediate investigation, transparency, and corrective action by the Election Commission ahead of upcoming elections.
The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) on Wednesday submitted a formal memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, alleging widespread irregularities, administrative lapses, and harassment of citizens in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process of electoral rolls.
The memorandum was jointly submitted by state Congress Vice-President Prashant Dutta and General Secretary Ashutosh Chatterjee, who demanded an immediate investigation into the matter and corrective action by the Election Commission. According to the Congress leadership, the current voter list revision process has caused confusion, distress, and unnecessary hardship to thousands of eligible voters across the state.
In a parallel political move, West Bengal Pradesh Congress President Shubhankar Sarkar announced a protest demonstration outside the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata on January 20. The protest aims to press for transparency, accountability, and relief for citizens allegedly affected by faulty hearing notices issued during the SIR process.
Allegations of Harassment Despite Proper Documentation
In the memorandum, the Congress alleged that numerous citizens who have already submitted valid and complete documents are still receiving notices for hearings related to voter list verification. Party leaders described this as a form of deliberate harassment that undermines public trust in the electoral system.
According to the complaint, the hearing notices issued by the Election Commission are riddled with technical errors. Many notices reportedly do not mention the correct date, time, or venue of the hearing, while others lack essential reference details. As a result, affected citizens are forced to make repeated visits to electoral offices, often without clarity on the purpose or outcome of the hearings.
“The process is chaotic and poorly planned. People are being summoned without reason, despite fulfilling all requirements,” a senior Congress leader stated, adding that such practices are causing anxiety and confusion among voters.
Mental Stress on Citizens and Election Staff
The Congress leadership further claimed that the flawed SIR process is increasing mental stress not only among ordinary citizens but also among personnel involved in election-related work. Booth-level officers and field staff, they alleged, are under pressure due to unclear guidelines and frequent changes in procedural instructions.
Party leaders warned that if these issues are not addressed promptly, the credibility of the voter list revision exercise could be severely compromised. They emphasized that an accurate and transparent electoral roll is the foundation of a free and fair democratic process.
Demand for Immediate Investigation
The memorandum called for a comprehensive investigation into the SIR hearing process to identify administrative failures and fix responsibility. The Congress demanded that those responsible for issuing defective notices and creating confusion be held accountable.
The party also urged the Election Commission to introduce corrective measures immediately, including clearer communication with voters, error-free notices, and a streamlined verification mechanism that does not burden citizens unnecessarily.
According to the memorandum, the complaint was filed under the direct instruction of West Bengal Pradesh Congress President Shubhankar Sarkar, who stressed that the issue concerns the rights and dignity of the general public. The party leadership stated that the Election Commission must act in the interest of voters rather than subject them to avoidable bureaucratic hurdles.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
Reiterating its demands, the Congress asserted that the Election Commission must intervene urgently to ensure that the voter hearing process is transparent, efficient, and free from harassment. The party also called for the immediate rectification of technical glitches and better coordination between electoral authorities at various levels.
| Also Read: BJP’s Biplab Deb vows to shut Bengal syndicates within 7 days |
The Congress warned that continued negligence in addressing these concerns could lead to public unrest and erode confidence in the electoral machinery. As preparations for future elections intensify, the opposition party stressed that safeguarding voter rights must remain a top priority for constitutional authorities.
With the planned protest on January 20, the issue is expected to gain further political traction in West Bengal, placing additional pressure on the Election Commission to respond decisively to the allegations raised by the Congress.
