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New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Dr Shashi Panja on Monday criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, calling it a politically motivated move and a “backdoor entry for NRC”.
He also accused the BJP of spreading misinformation and interfering in matters related to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Panja said, “BJP is trying to spread lies. Trinamool never said that the names of dead voters should remain in the voter list. What is the specific reason behind this we do not know! We are against SIR because of this unnecessary haste. We ask questions to the Election Commission, but only BJP gives the answer! If the 2024 voter list was correct, then why this change now? SIR is nothing but a backdoor entry for NRC.” Is.”
Questioning the sudden urgency behind implementing the SIR, the minister said, “We opposed the SIR because we questioned why it was being implemented in such a hurry and not with proper time and preparation. Why such a hurry to complete the SIR within three months? This was done recently in Bihar; suppose they change it sooner or later, what happens to the time limit? We questioned the Election Commission about this, but the BJP instead Why does she answer?”
Panja further argued that if the voter list used during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is considered valid and credible across India, including West Bengal, then there is no justification for making a fresh amendment so soon.
“Our main question to the Election Commission was simple: If the voter list used for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is considered accurate and valid across India, including Bengal, then why the same voter list cannot be used for the Bengal Assembly elections in 2026?” He said.
Meanwhile, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal announced that it will implement a two-tier daily electoral administration system immediately after the issuance of the notification for the SIR.
An additional CEO level officer will review the daily progress with the district magistrates, while the joint CEO level officer will coordinate with the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to monitor the exercise in the districts.
The Election Commission says the SIR process is aimed at ensuring the accuracy of the voter list, but Trinamool alleges it is an attempt to manipulate voter data and pave the way for divisive policies.
–IANS
RS/DPB