Kolkata, 20 February (H.S.) : The Election Commission of India has identified several officials in West Bengal for allegedly causing deliberate delays in uploading identity documents received during hearings on claims and objections related to the draft electoral rolls.

According to sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, around 120 to 150 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) have been found responsible in connection with the matter. However, the Commission has not yet officially disclosed the exact number of officials involved.

Sources stated that despite the extended deadline for hearings ending on February 14, some officials reportedly kept the process of uploading documents pending for nearly five days thereafter. As a result of this alleged negligence, a significant number of voter documents are yet to be entered into the system.

It has been indicated that unless the uploading and registration of these documents are completed, proper scrutiny cannot be undertaken. This has raised concerns over meeting the existing deadline of February 21 for completion of document verification.

Sources further suggested that if the verification deadline needs to be extended, the scheduled publication of the final electoral roll on February 28 may also be deferred.

The Commission is understood to be committed to initiating stringent action against the officials found guilty under the relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act. In this regard, disciplinary proceedings have already been initiated against two EROs, nine AEROs, one data entry operator, and three micro observers.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh