SIR Announcement Likely Soon in West Bengal

The official notification for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal has not yet been issued, but the Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed the State Election Commission to initiate preparations.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal has written to State Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, urging immediate steps for filling vacant posts of Electoral Registration Officers (ERO) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO).

Following this, the Chief Secretary has held a virtual meeting with District Magistrates, directing them to fill all vacancies without delay. Sources reveal that there are currently around 600 vacancies across the state.

Given these developments, it appears that the SIR notification may be announced soon. The ECI has been consistently reminding the state about assembly constituency–wise appointments of EROs and AEROs.

Meanwhile, the ruling party and the Chief Minister have been asserting in public meetings that “implementing SIR in Bengal will not be so easy.”