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ECI sends 5 more Special Roll Observers to Bengal for SIR

These officers will monitor each stage of form verification, notices, counting and publication of the final voter list for five divisions — Presidency, Medinipur, Burdwan, Malda and Jalpaiguri

2 min readKolkataDec 8, 2025 05:36 PM IST

Election Commission of India, ECI, West Bengal, Special Roll Observers,

The SROs and IAS officers will work in coordination with West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal in Kolkata. (Express file photo)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed five additional Special Roll Observers for West Bengal, who will arrive to review the progress of the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The newly appointed observers are Kumar Ravi Kant Singh, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence (Works & Parliament Affairs), who will head the Presidency Division, Niraj Kumar Bansod, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, heading the Medinipur Division, Krishna Kumar Nirala, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, who is to head the Burdwan Division, Alok Tiwari, IAS, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, heading the Malda Division, and Pankaj Yadav, IAS, Joint Secretary, Department of Rural Development, who will head the Jalpaiguri Division.

These officers will monitor each stage of form verification, notices, counting and publication of the final voter list. So far, 7,66,23,690 forms have been distributed, of which 7,63,60,897 have been digitised.

The appointments come days after the ECI named Dr Subrata Gupta, retired IAS and former Secretary in the Union Ministry of Food Processing, as Special Roll Observer, along with 12 serving IAS officers of the West Bengal cadre for the SIR.

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The SROs and IAS officers will work in coordination with West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal in Kolkata.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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