EC Directs DEO to Lodge FIR Against Four Officials; Logical Discrepancies Drop From 16.3 Million to 9.4 Million in West Bengal
đź“… January 3, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
Election Commission Orders FIR Over Electoral Roll Lapses
The Election Commission of India has directed the concerned District Election Officer (DEO) to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against four government officials in West Bengal, following the detection of serious procedural lapses during electoral roll verification.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the Commission found prima facie evidence of negligence and failure to adhere to mandatory verification protocols while scrutinising voter data. The move signals a tougher enforcement posture by the poll body to protect the integrity of electoral rolls.
Logical Discrepancies Reduced After Review
The Election Commission also reported a significant reduction in so-called “logical discrepancies” in West Bengal’s electoral rolls, with the figure falling from 16.3 million to 9.4 million after multiple rounds of scrutiny.
Logical discrepancies refer to internal inconsistencies in voter records, such as mismatched age and date of birth, improbable age entries, incomplete addresses, or records failing system-level validation checks. Officials clarified that these do not automatically imply bogus voters but indicate entries requiring correction, verification, or deletion.
The reduction was achieved through a combination of automated data audits, field-level verification by booth-level officers, and direct engagement with electors to confirm personal details.
Criminal and Departmental Action Likely
While the identities of the four officials have not been disclosed, sources said they were involved in supervisory and operational roles linked to data verification. The FIR is expected to invoke provisions related to dereliction of duty and violation of statutory instructions. Departmental proceedings may follow based on the findings of the investigation.
Election law experts say the directive marks a notable shift. “Ordering criminal action rather than issuing administrative warnings shows the Commission’s intent to enforce accountability at the implementation level,” a former election official said.
Politically Sensitive Issue
Electoral roll accuracy has remained a contentious issue in West Bengal, with political parties frequently trading allegations of irregularities. The Election Commission’s intervention is being viewed as an effort to depoliticise the process and anchor corrective measures strictly in documented deficiencies.
The Commission has also urged voters to verify their details through official channels and report discrepancies, emphasising that citizen participation is essential for maintaining credible and inclusive voter lists.
What Lies Ahead
The DEO has been instructed to submit a compliance report after registration of the FIR and to provide a district-wise roadmap for further reducing discrepancies. Enhanced monitoring is expected in districts with higher error rates as the Commission continues its oversight.
Officials reiterated that the objective remains the preparation of accurate, transparent, and trustworthy electoral rolls ahead of future elections.
Sources: Election Commission of India officials; PTI; The Hindu
Tags: Election Commission of India, West Bengal, Electoral Rolls, Voter Verification, Indian Elections, Governance
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