West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission (EC), alleging that mobile applications developed by the BJP’s IT cell are being used to carry out the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
Speaking to reporters before wrapping up her two-day visit to Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district, where she reviewed preparations for the Gangasagar Mela, Banerjee accused the poll panel of adopting questionable methods during the voter list revision exercise.
Allegations of irregularities in SIR exercise
According to the chief minister, the SIR process has been marked by what she described as unfair and unlawful practices. She claimed that eligible voters are being wrongly marked as deceased and that elderly, ill and indisposed voters are being compelled to attend hearings.
“The EC is resorting to all kinds of wrong moves for conducting the SIR. It is marking eligible voters as ‘dead’ and forcing the elderly, ill and indisposed to attend hearings. It is making use of mobile apps developed by the BJP’s IT cell for the exercise. This is illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic. This cannot go on,” the chief minister alleged.
Banerjee also appealed to the people to remain vigilant during the exercise and support those facing difficulties due to the revision process. “I urge the people to remain careful while participating in SIR. They must stand beside those who need help. They don’t need to support me; support only those who are in trouble because of this exercise,” she said.
TMC moves Supreme Court against EC
The chief minister’s remarks came on a day when Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien approached the Supreme Court, accusing the Election Commission of adopting arbitrary and procedurally irregular methods while conducting the SIR in West Bengal.
The party alleged that the Special Intensive Revision has significantly worsened the problems faced by eligible and genuine voters in the state. The legal challenge adds to the growing confrontation between the TMC and the poll panel over the exercise.
Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Banerjee has stepped up her criticism of the EC. On Monday, she had said that she would approach the court over the SIR process, alleging fear, harassment and administrative arbitrariness, which she claimed had resulted in deaths and hospitalisations in the state.