Derek O'Brien Urges Supreme Court to Delay Bengal's SIR Process Amid Voter Concerns
Supreme Court Petition Filed
Derek O'Brien, a member of the Trinamool Congress, has requested the Supreme Court to postpone the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal until January 15. He raised concerns that this initiative could lead to widespread disenfranchisement, citing that the Election Commission has reportedly identified discrepancies affecting approximately 1.36 crore voters.
The petition also criticizes the extensive use of WhatsApp for official communication among Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other staff involved in the SIR process, which contradicts the established protocols for issuing official circulars and letters.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, is expected to hear the Trinamool leader's petition concerning the related SIR matters either on Wednesday or Thursday, as the case could not be addressed on Tuesday due to time constraints.
Challenging the Election Commission's Orders
O'Brien has submitted this application as part of his pending petition, which contests the orders and guidelines issued by the Election Commission for conducting SIR in various states, including West Bengal. On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her intention to challenge the SIR process in court, alleging that it has instigated fear, harassment, and administrative arbitrariness, resulting in fatalities, hospitalizations, and even suicide attempts.
Allegations Against the Election Commission
Mamata Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of utilizing a mobile application developed by the BJP's IT cell to manage the SIR exercise in the state. During her two-day visit to inspect preparations for the upcoming Gangasagar Mela in the South 24 Parganas district, she spoke to reporters, claiming that the Commission is employing various unethical tactics during the special intensive revision of the voter list. Banerjee stated that the Election Commission is declaring eligible voters as deceased and coercing the elderly, sick, and unwell individuals to participate in hearings. She labeled this practice as illegal, unconstitutional, and undemocratic, urging the public to exercise caution while engaging in the SIR process.