In a sprint to the finish, West Bengal’s election machinery is set to conclude hearings for approximately 1.5 million voters on the draft voter list by February 7. With only three days left, the state’s 6,500 centers are in overdrive.
Election Commission insiders express firm belief in meeting the deadline, paving the way for the February 14 final roll publication. This aligns perfectly ahead of the Supreme Court’s SIR review on February 9, where CM Mamata Banerjee is poised to argue her case before a three-judge panel.
What began tentatively on December 27 has transformed into a well-oiled operation, thanks to bolstered manpower and new facilities. Post-deadline, the ECI’s full bench will evaluate progress, triggering assembly election announcements.
A strategic pitch from officials advocates for a two-phase poll instead of multi-phase marathons, promising results by late April and swift government formation in early May. As Bengal braces for battle, these hearings ensure the voter base reflects reality.