Overview
- The Election Commission said OBC certificates issued by West Bengal after 2010 cannot be used as supporting identity documents during the ongoing second phase of Special Intensive Revision hearings.
- The Chief Electoral Officer circulated instructions with the High Court’s December 24 order and clarified that certificates for 64 and 76 classes notified on May 27, June 3 and June 12, 2025 are valid from those dates.
- Certificates issued to 66 classes before 2010 remain acceptable, while certificates issued between 2010 and 2024 to 113 classes are not valid for SIR proceedings.
- Electoral Registration Officers, District Magistrates and District Electoral Officers have been made accountable for strict compliance during claims and objections on the draft rolls.
- The clarification followed petitions heard by Justice Krishna Rao, including one by a voter and a plea from the state BJP, as the state’s appeal against earlier rulings is pending before the Supreme Court.