West Bengal SIR : Live Updates From Supreme Court Hearing

CJI: We had made some arrangement in Bihar case

Diwan: We don't want mass exclusion - that's the sentiment we have. So long as it's just a minor number, it's a different thing. Computer is a tyrant if number is huge. Please see ECI manual on role of micro-observers. How can micro observer on polling day

CJI: This is pertaining to conducting elections, not SIR. Micro-observer can't take a decision

Naidu: The orders are passed by EROs. Please direct them to provide [SDOs/SDMs].

CJI: You can have some scrutiny. Simultaneously you can train

Naidu: We need to give them ID, portal access. In 48 hours, we will get back to your lordships.

Diwan: Name mismatches - default position should be these persons can't be excluded

CJI: We cannot issue a direction

Diwan: On 14 feb, there will be a final list. No question of pursuing appellate remedy. Once there is final roll, notification follows.

Naidu: Since they are making a mountain of this molehill

CJI: Last date of hearing, issue was of micro-observers. Now these 8500 people they are sending. Let them report tomorrow and join...

Naidu: they need to be trained first, they can't make head and tail of it

CJI: You are not depending on them. Decision - your officers will take

Naidu: We will see their profile. They can be trained and then we can employ to assist...we will find suitability. We have 6500 people.

J Bagchi: Notices are for mapped people. Tools that you have applied appears to be...they are eliminating natural differences. Surnames of various forms...there is a common practice of Kumar being middle name in Bengali households. If there is omission of Kumar - notice is being given.

Naidu: They sit during process of hearing and notice objections, documents...they scrutinize and say on website they are perfect, if not, please consider

CJI: Decision is to be taken by ERO? and micro-observers only assist?

Naidu: They need atleast 10 days training. We have done. Barring 14 lakhs, hearing has been completed

CJI: Final yes or no decision is yet to be taken...if these state officers being given can join tomorrow, let them also go through the documents...it will enhance quality of decision making process.

Diwan: We are only concerned with micro-observers.

Naidu: Once they have provided a pool of officers, I can [substitute] ERO and AERO also

Diwan: What's the purpose of name mismatch? It's to purge voters. This must not be allowed on mass scale

CJI: You can replace AEROs who you find don't have enough experience to do this kind of quasi-judicial work...micro observers is basically a team created by you for assisting ERO and AERO...what's the nature of that assistance?

CJI: Whatever orders or clarification required, we will issue. But we will not allow any impediment in SIR. This must be understood by all states.

Mr Pant appears for State: All 294 EROs are Group A officers. SDO or SDM rank. Completed 9 or more yrs of service

CJI: How many AEROs?

Mr Pant: 8524

CJI: How many names you have given in AEROs?

Mr Pant: 8524

CJI: What rank?

Mr Pant: 65% Group B, otherwise Group A and Group C...10% approx. Group C

Naidu: 5 letters were written that these are the officers we want. They have not given.

CJI: AEROs are state govt officials?

Naidu: yes, lower than micro-observers

J Bagchi: AEROs are Group A or Group C?

Singhvi: 294 ERO level - Group A officers

CJI: Very unfortunate thing. They are refuting in your presence...is there any officer of WB here whom we can catch hold?

CJI: If list of officers had been sent by Feb 5, they (ECI) could have taken decision by now

Singhvi: They never asked us

Diwan: Please take it from us, list of 8500 officers has now been handed over.

CJI: has name, designation, place of posting been given? how to contact them, Mr Diwan? Can these persons report to concerned EROs by tomorrow?

Diwan: Yes. These logical discrepancy category voters, despite being mapped, can't be excluded like this.