Election Commission Urges West Bengal Govt to Expedite Honorarium Payments for Voter List Revision Staff

Kolkata, February 7, 2026 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a directive to the West Bengal government, instructing it to promptly settle outstanding honorariums for officials and staff involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.

In a letter addressed to the state’s Chief Secretary, the ECI emphasized the need to clear these payments without further delay to ensure smooth electoral processes. The SIR exercise, aimed at updating and purifying electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections, has seen delays in disbursing honorariums, prompting the commission’s intervention.

This move comes amid ongoing tensions between the ECI and the Trinamool Congress-led government over electoral preparations, including previous complaints about enhanced payments for Booth Level Officers (BLOs). The ECI has previously approved an annual honorarium of ₹12,000 for BLOs, plus an additional ₹6,000 for SIR duties, but reports indicate these have not been fully released.

State officials have yet to respond publicly to the latest directive, but compliance is expected to facilitate the completion of the SIR process, which is critical for the 2026 Assembly elections. The ECI has set a broader deadline of February 9 for reports on other non-compliance issues related to the revision.