The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to publish the first supplementary voter list in West Bengal on Monday (March 23) under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The announcement was confirmed by the state's Chief Electoral Officer, Manoj Kumar Agarwal.
What the supplementary list includes
The list will contain names of voters whose documents have been fully verified and cleared from the adjudication process. According to Election Commission sources, around 27 lakh pending voter records have already been settled, with nearly 2 lakh names processed each day.
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These names were part of nearly 60 lakh entries earlier marked as "under adjudication" in the final electoral roll released on February 28.
"The adjudication process has been extensive, and a significant number of cases, over 27 lakh, have already been resolved after due verification. The supplementary list transparently incorporates these outcomes," an EC official was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
How and where to check the list
The supplementary roll will be published in the same format as the final electoral list. Copies will be shared with district election officers and displayed at polling booths across the state. It will also be made available online.
"A large number of entries were kept under adjudication for further scrutiny. The supplementary list reflects the outcome of that verification process. The list will first be displayed at polling booths. It will subsequently be made available online," the official added.
Voters who have objections can file appeals either online through the ECI Net app or the Commission's website, or offline at district and sub-divisional offices.
Security tightened ahead of release
Authorities have stepped up security arrangements to ensure the process remains smooth. The state government has instructed district magistrates to implement crowd-control measures and maintain law and order.
"We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure that the publication process remains peaceful. Adequate security arrangements and close monitoring will be ensured in sensitive locations," the official said.
A total of 705 judicial officers have been deployed to oversee decisions on inclusion or exclusion of names in the list.
The development comes ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections for 294 seats, scheduled to be held on April 23 and 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.
