Kolkata, 04 November (H.S.). With the commencement of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) on Tuesday began door-to-door visits to verify voter details and assist in updating the rolls. Authorities have issued a detailed advisory for citizens to ensure a smooth and accurate verification process.

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How to Identify a BLO? Will Political Representatives Be Present?

Each BLO will carry an official identity card featuring a QR code that voters can scan to verify credentials through the Election Commission portal. Their name and contact number will also be printed on the forms provided.

Given ongoing political tensions over the SIR exercise, representatives assigned by political parties may accompany BLOs during field visits.

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What If You Are Not Home When the BLO Arrives?

BLOs carry the complete list of voters under their designated booth area. In most cases, residents will be informed in advance about scheduled visits.

If a voter is unavailable, the BLO will make at least three attempts to revisit the household, ensuring no eligible voter is left out of the process.

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Documents to Keep Handy

Voters will be provided with two forms — one to be retained as a receipt and the other collected by the BLO after signatures are obtained.

While no photocopies will be taken during the initial round, voters should keep the following documents for verification:

Voter ID Card

Aadhaar Card

Two passport-sized photographs

Reference to voter details from the 2002 electoral roll, if applicable

If a family’s details were not listed in the 2002 roll, proof of citizenship may be requested later during follow-up verification.

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Form Filling Instructions

The single-page form is divided into two sections:

1. Upper section: Current voter information

2. Lower section: Reference details from the 2002 voter roll

Voters must fill only the applicable section. If details exist in the 2002 roll, they should be entered exactly as recorded then, even if changes were made later.

Forms submitted from multiple locations may result in removal of names from the rolls.

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Can a Family Member Fill the Form for an Absent Voter?

Yes. According to the CEO office, any family member may provide the required details and sign the form, taking responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided.

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Timeline of the SIR Process

House-to-house survey: Until December 4

Draft electoral roll publication: December 9

Claims and objections: December 9 – January 8

Hearing & verification: December 9 – January 31

Final electoral roll publication: February 7

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Is Online Submission Allowed?

Yes. Voters who do not receive a form may download and submit it online through the Election Commission portal. The facility is currently under technical updates but expected to be activated soon.

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Will SIR Affect Citizenship Status?

Officials have clarified that SIR will not determine or alter citizenship. The sole objective is to verify eligibility and ensure that only genuine voters remain on the electoral roll.

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Political frictions over the SIR have intensified across West Bengal, with both ruling and opposition parties trading charges. The Election Commission emphasises that the exercise is a routine initiative to maintain a cleaner, more accurate voter database ahead of future elections.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh