Kolkata, 22 December (H.S.) : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued important directions regarding hearings on claims and objections under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in West Bengal. The Commission has clarified that academic certificates issued by individual schools and colleges will not be accepted as valid documents for identity or age verification during the hearing process.

Sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that only academic certificates issued by registered education boards, education councils or universities will be recognised as valid proof of identity and age. These instructions will apply to the hearings scheduled to begin later this week.

Academic qualification certificates are among the 12 documents prescribed by the ECI, particularly for voters categorised as “unmapped voters.” Unmapped voters are those who have failed to establish their linkage with the 2002 electoral roll, the last time a Special Intensive Revision was conducted in the state.

Voters whose own names appear in the 2002 electoral roll fall under the “self-mapping” category, while those whose parents’ names are listed in the 2002 roll are classified under “progeny mapping.”

According to CEO office officials, the Election Commission has been alerted that during hearings some individuals may attempt to present certificates issued by individual schools or colleges as documents issued by recognised boards or universities. The Commission believes that the possibility of manipulation is negligible in certificates issued by registered boards, councils or universities, whereas the risk is significantly higher in the case of certificates issued by individual institutions. Hence, such certificates have been declared invalid.

The SIR process in West Bengal began on November 4, with the draft electoral roll published on December 16. The three-phase exercise will conclude with the publication of the final voters’ list on February 14. Soon after, the Election Commission is expected to announce the schedule for the Assembly elections due next year.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh