The commission has instructed officials to verify the identity of all voters, including women who observe purdah. Women voters will not be allowed to cast their vote without identity verification. Polling officers must confirm the voter’s identity by matching facial features with photographs on the voter list and voter ID cards.

According to the official order, presiding officers can seek help from local female staff for identification. These staff members usually serve as Booth Level Officers at polling stations. The commission believes this step will prevent impersonation and fake voting.

State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh clarified that the instruction follows routine election practices. He said the goal is to maintain fairness and transparency during elections. Chief Election Officer and Secretary Rajesh Verma also confirmed that identity verification remains mandatory.

Interestingly, the guidelines also suggest limiting the deployment of women staff in polling teams wherever possible. However, officials explained that local female staff would still assist when required.

The commission issued a 14-point directive assigning district election officers the responsibility of forming polling teams. Officials insist the measures aim only to safeguard electoral integrity.

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Mamata Banerjee accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of acting in a “dangerous” manner by allegedly influencing the voter revision process. She said that attempts to delete names would not be tolerated and warned that Bengal’s mothers and sisters would resist any such move. Her remarks came amid rising concerns among various communities, including sex workers in Sonagachi, who fear voter-card cancellation due to SIR procedures.

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