ECI to deploy Micro Roll Observers in Bengal; what will their responsibilities be?
Read on to know who will hire them, what the remuneration will be, and other provisions for the extra hands in the SIR process
Written by Atri Mitra
Kolkata | December 19, 2025 03:57 PM IST
3 min read
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The ECI has approved the deployment of Central government officials as Micro Roll Observers in West Bengal. (File Photo)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to deploy Micro Roll Observers in West Bengal to assist Electoral Roll Observers and Special Electoral Roll Observers in the SIR process.
The decision follows a proposal from state Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal, aimed at further scrutiny of enumeration forms and BLO entries.
In a letter to the CEO on Friday, ECI Secretary Sujeet Kumar Mishra approved the proposal, delegating the power to appoint these Micro Roll Observers to the CEO.
The letter said that the observers would be drawn from Group B or above officers of the Central government, as well as equivalent officers from Central PSUs and nationalised banks. They would remain under the “discipline and control” of the CEO during their engagement, and the CEO would be responsible for preparing a database, organising their training, and deploying them across constituencies.
The District Electoral Officer would provide logistical support and security to the observers.
Their responsibilities include:
– checking digitised enumeration form entries made by BLOs;
– comparing the electoral roll with birth and death registers;
– verifying documents submitted by electors served notices by ERO/AEROs
– scrutinising documents related to claims and objections;
– observing hearing proceedings;
– identifying discrepancies during roll preparation or revision;
– assisting Roll Observers in statistical analysis;
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– undertaking any additional tasks assigned by the CEO or observers; and
– submitting findings to the CEO or Special Roll Observers.
The letter added, “During their engagement, they shall work exclusively for preparation/revision of the electoral roll… At no point of time, the Electoral Roll Micro Observer shall divulge, disclose or supply the information… to any unauthorised person(s).” Micro Roll Observers will be engaged from the draft publication stage until final publication. They will receive a consolidated remuneration of Rs 30,000 for the period, drawn from their “parent cadre”, according to the letter.
It cites that the proposal for Micro Roll Observers was approved “under the provisions of Article 324(6) of the Constitution of India and para 11.4.7 of the Manual on Electoral Rolls – March 2023”.
Earlier, the ECI also deputed Special Roll Observers for the state and electoral districts, who are already working with DEOs and EROs towards “error-free revision”.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
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