Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on February 9 categorically said that the court will not allow any impediment to be created in completion of ECI’s special intensive revision of electoral rolls in any state, reported Live Law.
“One thing, we would like to be very clear. Whatever orders, clarifications, interim directions may be required, we will have to issue. But we will not allow to create any impediment in completion of SIR. It must be very clearly understood by all the states,” said the CJI.
A Bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Bagchi and Justice NV Anjaria was dealing with a bunch of petitions related to West Bengal SIR.
The Bench passed a slew of directions and noted that micro-observers are there only to assist EROs/AEROs, and cannot take a final decision.
The court issued a show-cause notice to West Bengal’s Director- General of Police (DGP) in response to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) allegations of intimidation and disruption during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state.
The court issued a showcause notice to West Bengal’s Director- General of Police (DGP) in response to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) allegations of intimidation and disruption during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the pollbound state.
The Bench ordered the state police chief to file a personal affidavit explaining the allegations levelled in the poll body’s counter affidavit that, despite complaints by poll officials, no FIRs were registered against those allegedly involved in burning objection forms and records linked to the SIR exercise.
The Bench directed the West Bengal Government to ensure that all 8,505 Group B officers, whose list was handed over to the top court during the hearing, report to the District Electoral Officers (DEOs) or Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) by 5 pm on February 10.
The apex court granted discretion to the ECI to replace the existing EROs and Assistant EROs (AEROs) and utilise the services of the newly made available state government officers, if they are found qualified and suitable.
Taking note of submissions that the induction of a new set of officials could delay scrutiny of documents submitted by affected voters, the Bench directed that the EROs be granted at least one additional week beyond February 14 to complete the scrutiny and take appropriate decisions.
