Display SIR discrepancy lists at Bengal panchayat offices, SC to EC

The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission (EC) on Monday to display the names of those on the "logical discrepancies" list at gram panchayat bhavans, block offices of talukas and ward offices in West Bengal. The court noted that 1.25 crore voters in the state figure on the "logical discrepancies" list. SC was hearing several petitions that levelled allegations of procedural illegalities in the poll body’s SIR in West Bengal, which resulted in exclusions from the voter roll.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Dipankar Datta and Joymalya Bagchi, said that voters who may be affected by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process must be given a fair chance to respond. The court allowed them to submit documents or raise objections to correct their records. To make this process easier, the court ordered that facilities for submitting documents and objections should be set up within panchayat bhavans and block offices. It also directed the West Bengal government to provide sufficient staff to assist the State Election Commission during this exercise.
The bench said all districts must strictly follow the instructions issued by the Election Commission of India or the state government to ensure smooth functioning. It further directed the Director General of Police of West Bengal to maintain law and order during the process and ensure that all activities are completed peacefully.The court directed that the director general of police (DGP) of West Bengal shall be obligated to ensure that there is no law-and-order problem and that all the activities shall be completed smoothly.