Bengal: ECI Reiterates Warning Against Using Contractual Staff in SIR

Kolkata— The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday once again cautioned District Magistrates in West Bengal against involving contractual state government employees in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

An Additional Chief Electoral Officer issued a note to all District Magistrates, who also serve as District Election Officers (DEOs), warning them not to deploy contractual staff in the first phase of the revision exercise, which began on November 4.

The warning came after the Commission learned that some DMs and DEOs were engaging contractual employees in the process, violating ECI guidelines.

“In reference to the above, I would like to state that contractual data entry operators, contractual staff, BSK staff, etc., cannot be used for data entry work for the ongoing SIR 2025. It has been reported that some officers are issuing local orders and using such Data Entry Operators and contractual staff in violation of ECI guidelines. Appropriate action should be initiated against such DEOs/EROs/AEROs,” the note stated. A copy of the communication is with IANS.

Welcoming the ECI’s action, West Bengal Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said the directive required urgent attention.

“The ECI guidelines are crystal clear that contractual data entry operators, contractual staff, BSK staff, or any such personnel cannot be involved in data entry work for the ongoing SIR. This information needs to be shared so that the public remains vigilant against any violation,” Adhikari said.

This is not the first caution from the ECI. Last month, the Commission issued a similar advisory asking DEOs to be careful while selecting para-teachers as booth-level officers (BLOs) for the SIR exercise.

The Commission reiterated that, as per its guidelines, only permanent state government employees and permanent teachers in state-run schools with retirement benefits—such as provident fund, pension, and gratuity—should be prioritized for BLO roles.

In exceptional cases, where suitable permanent staff are unavailable, contractual state government employees may be considered for BLO duties, but only with the concurrence of the CEO’s office.

— With inputs from IANS