EC Intensifies Scrutiny of Domicile Certificates Ahead of SIR Hearings in Bengal

With the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings set to begin on December 27 in West Bengal, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has intensified verification of documents submitted by voters, placing particular emphasis on Permanent Residential Certificates, or domicile certificates.

The move comes after complaints alleging that domicile certificates are being “distributed arbitrarily” and that many recipients may not be Indian citizens. During the SIR hearing phase, applicants must produce at least one of the 11 documents specified by the ECI for verification.

The domicile certificate figures prominently on this list. However, even before the hearings commence, the Commission has received multiple complaints claiming that these certificates are being issued indiscriminately and without proper verification, raising concerns about their misuse in the voter list revision process.

In light of these allegations, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal has sought detailed clarification from the state government.

“The CEO has asked the state to specify under which law and administrative authority domicile certificates are being issued, and the criteria being followed, particularly in the backdrop of the ongoing SIR exercise,” a senior official at CEO office told UNI on condition of anonymity.

According to the rule district magistrates, additional district magistrates and sub-divisional officers are empowered to issue domicile certificates but it should be done after proper investigation.

“If any legal complications arise later involving a beneficiary of a domicile certificate, the responsibility would lie with the issuing authority,” a senior state home department official said.

Not only domicile certificates but complaints have also reached the ECI alleging that, acting on instructions from Nabanna, district electoral officers (DEOs) have verbally directed block development officers (BDOs) to keep municipal and panchayat staff ready to issue various certificates during the SIR hearing period.

“The Election Commission has warned that any government official found issuing forged certificates, or any individual found submitting fake documents, will face strict action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,” the official at CEO office said.

“Such offences could attract punishment of up to seven years’ imprisonment along with financial penalties,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Commission has begun preparations for the hearing process. Notices for SIR hearings have started being issued from Monday.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been instructed to deliver these notices and upload proof of delivery, including the voter’s signature, through a dedicated option titled ‘Delivery of Scheduled Hearing Notice’ on the BLO app.

In the first phase, notices are being sent to 31,68,424 voters whose records do not have linkage with the 2002 electoral roll.

Following this, voters identified as ‘suspect’ through progeny mapping will be summoned for hearings.

The CEO’s office has confirmed that hearings will formally commence on Saturday, December 27.

Ahead of this, around 4,500 micro-observers will undergo special training on Wednesday at Nazrul Mancha to ensure strict compliance with procedures and transparency during the hearings.

As per the Commission’s plan, each Assembly constituency will have 15 hearing officers, including Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), with a micro-observer assigned to each table.

The ECI’s heightened vigilance underscores the sensitivity of the SIR process and signals zero tolerance for procedural violations or misuse of official machinery.