EC Tells DEOs to Strictly Monitor SIR Work and Meet Deadline

MP | 23 Nov 2025 | Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) has instructed district electoral officers (DEOs) to closely monitor all work related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and ensure that the exercise is completed strictly within the stipulated deadline.

On Friday, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) Gyanesh Bharti held a video conference with DEOs across the state to review the progress of the ongoing SIR by assessing reports from the district level.

According to sources, Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) cited the work pressure faced by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the meeting and asked for an extension of the deadline, but the senior Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) refused. However, in response to server-related issues faced by the BLOs while uploading enumeration forms, the CEO will hold a meeting with all telecom service providers on Monday.

The Bengal CEO acknowledged the work pressure on BLOs but expressed optimism that the ongoing SIR exercise would be completed within the deadline set by the Election Commission. He noted that if Bihar could adhere to the SIR deadlines, Bengal should be able to do so as well. He further stated that while the average number of voters per booth in the state is 800, some booths have as many as 1,200 electors. “So, we have to manage the work and deploy manpower according to the ground situation,” he added.

It is learned that the Commission has provided a deadline of November 25 for the completion of the digitisation of enumeration forms. “No lackadaisical attitude in SIR work will be tolerated, right from the BLO to the DEO level,” said a senior EC official.

According to sources, Bharti has made it clear that BLOs should adhere to the poll panel’s guidelines during the work, and any violation will be dealt with strongly. The CEC has expressed satisfaction with the work executed by the majority of BLOs. The DEOs have been instructed to ensure that BLOs discharge their duties as per the Commission’s guidelines.

Meanwhile, seven BLOs working under the Beliaghata Assembly Constituency in North Kolkata have replied to the show-cause notice regarding the delay in SIR work. They have cited glitches and slowness in the BLO app as the cause of the delay.

According to Commission sources, out of 7.64 crore enumeration forms distributed, 3.15 crore, which accounts for nearly 42 per cent, have been digitised in Bengal by 6 pm on Saturday.