Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Bengal SIR nears conclusion; 6.25 lakh more names flagged for deletion and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
“Unmapped” voters are individuals who could not establish a linkage with the 2002 voters’ list in the state, either through self-mapping or progeny mapping. “Logical discrepancy” cases refer to irregularities detected in family-tree data during the progeny mapping exercise, where inconsistencies raised questions over eligibility.
The final tally of deletions will only become clear once the definitive voters’ list is published on 28 February.
A day after the final roll is released, the full bench of the Election Commission of India (ECI) is scheduled to visit West Bengal for a two-day review of the post-SIR scenario. Following the visit, the Commission is expected to announce polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections slated later this year.
West Bengal chief electoral officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal has reportedly recommended a single-phase election this time, though the final decision rests with the ECI. In recent years, assembly elections in the state have been conducted in seven to eight phases. The last single-phase Assembly election in West Bengal was held in 2001.
With the SIR process entering its final stretch, political parties are closely watching the revision exercise, aware that the final electoral roll will shape the contours of the high-stakes Assembly battle ahead.
With IANS inputs