Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Newspaper cuttings, blank papers submitted as IDs and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
Compounding the pressure is the overlap between ongoing verification and the continued uploading of documents submitted in the final phase of hearings, which concluded on 14 February. “Had all uploads been completed by 14 February, officers could now focus solely on scrutiny. The overlap has added to the workload,” the official explained.
The Election Commission has already flagged five districts — Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas — where instances of “unlisted” document uploads have been unusually high. Notably, all five share international borders with Bangladesh, with South 24-Parganas also having a coastal frontier. East Burdwan and West Burdwan have reported comparatively lower but still notable irregularities.
Under the current schedule, the final voters’ list is slated for publication on 28 February. A full bench of the Election Commission is expected to visit the state on 1 March for a two-day review of the post-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) scenario. Shortly thereafter, the commission is anticipated to announce polling dates for the forthcoming Assembly elections — a contest that now unfolds against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny and administrative vigilance.
With IANS inputs