UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Why has EC deployed micro observers only in Bengal, asks Mamata

Q1. In the context of the Election Commission of India's ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, the term 'micro observer' refers most accurately to which one of the following?

• A. A senior IAS-rank officer deputed by the ECI to supervise the entire roll revision exercise at the State level.
• B. A field-level government officer stationed in each hearing room to monitor the functioning of Electoral Registration Officers and to verify enumeration forms and supporting documents.
• C. A Booth Level Officer appointed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 to conduct house-to-house enumeration of electors.
• D. An accredited election agent of a recognised political party authorised to inspect the draft electoral roll on its publication.

Q2. During the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, micro observers are operationally drawn from and appointed by which one of the following authorities?

• A. The State Government of West Bengal through its General Administration Department.
• B. The Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal in his independent capacity, without reference to the ECI.
• C. The Election Commission of India, from a pool of Group-B officers whose names are furnished by the State Government.
• D. The Ministry of Home Affairs in consultation with the Cabinet Secretariat.

Q3. The plenary authority of the Election Commission of India to order a Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in any State, without prior approval of any other authority, is principally traceable to:

• A. Article 243K of the Constitution read with the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.
• B. Article 324 of the Constitution read with Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
• C. Article 329 of the Constitution read with the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• D. Article 326 of the Constitution read with the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.

Q4. With reference to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, consider the following statements distinguishing 'Special Roll Observers' from 'Micro Observers': 1. Special Roll Observers are typically senior IAS-rank officers deputed by the ECI to supervise the SIR at the State level, whereas Micro Observers are field-level officers stationed at individual hearing centres. 2. Unlike Special Roll Observers, Micro Observers have, in this cycle, been deployed by the ECI exclusively in West Bengal and not in any other State undergoing SIR simultaneously. 3. The role and functions of Micro Observers during electoral roll revision are explicitly defined in the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, while those of Special Roll Observers are not. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Special Roll Observers are typically senior IAS-rank officers deputed by the ECI to supervise the SIR at the State level, whereas Micro Observers are field-level officers stationed at individual hearing centres.
2. Unlike Special Roll Observers, Micro Observers have, in this cycle, been deployed by the ECI exclusively in West Bengal and not in any other State undergoing SIR simultaneously.
3. The role and functions of Micro Observers during electoral roll revision are explicitly defined in the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, while those of Special Roll Observers are not.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls ordered by the Election Commission of India in 2025–26 ahead of upcoming Assembly elections, which of the following States/UTs are correctly identified as being covered under this SIR cycle? 1. West Bengal 2. Tamil Nadu 3. Karnataka 4. Kerala Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. West Bengal
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Karnataka
4. Kerala

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4