Election Commission, EC has issued a point by point rebuttal to all apprehensions and termed the allegations made by the TMC Delegation as baseless. A 10-member delegation led by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien today met the Election Commission in New Delhi over the the issue of ongoing Special Intensive Revision- SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal. 

 

The Commission asked the delegation to submit claims and objections after 9th of December when the draft list is shared with them. The Commission said, till then, the party should not interfere with the independent functioning of Booth Level Officers, Election Registration Officers and Destrict Election Officers who are State Government employees on deputation to Election related works.

 

The Commission also wrote a letter to Director General Police of West Bengal and Kolkata Police Commissioner to ensure that the BLOs are not pressurised and threatened by the political party workers.

 

The Poll Body has also directed all DEOs to ensure new polling stations in slums, high rise buildings and gated residential colonies as is being done across India based on its instructions.

 

Based on recent incidents relating to breach of security at the office of Chief Electoral Officer of  West Bengal, the Election Commission has directed the office to be shifted to an appropriate security location. EC has also directed Kolkata Police Commissioner to ensure complete security of the existing as well as the new office of CEO.

 

EC also told the TMC delegation not to influence or threaten the BLOs regarding dead, shifted and duplicate voters. The Poll Body also reminded the TMC delegation that only Indian citizens are entitled to vote and as per Article 326 of the Constitution, foreigners cannot be allowed to vote.