The first day of electoral hearings in Kolkata was marred by significant logistical and communication challenges, leaving many voters frustrated. Electors across multiple venues reported facing language barriers with Election Commission officials and enduring excessively long waiting times in queues.
Language Barrier Creates Communication Hardship
A primary complaint from voters who attended hearings on Saturday at Ganabhavan near Sovabazar was the lack of Bengali proficiency among EC officials. This created a major communication gap for local residents. Gobinda Mallick, a voter from part number 91 in the Shyampukur Assembly constituency, experienced this firsthand. He needed to reschedule his hearing date as his documents were at his son's residence. However, explaining this simple request became an ordeal. "I faced a lot of hardship in communicating as they are not well conversant with the Bengali language, and I am also poor in Hindi," Mallick stated. He ultimately managed to change the date only with the assistance of the Booth Level Officer (BLO).
Contrasting Scenes at Different Hearing Venues
The experience for voters varied drastically depending on their assigned venue. At Ganabhavan, while communication was problematic, the infrastructure was reportedly adequate. Voters acknowledged the presence of basic facilities like drinking water and washrooms.
The scene was starkly different at Sri Vidya Niketan, another hearing venue located near Ganabhavan. Here, a long queue of voters snaked through a narrow passage, moving at a snail's pace. Laxmi Prasad Shaw voiced the frustration of many, stating, "I have been standing for over an hour at the same place. The queue is not moving at all. The officials are taking time to complete one hearing." He also highlighted a critical lack of facilities at this location, noting the absence of drinking water and restrooms for those waiting.
Confusion Over Document Requirements
Adding to the voters' troubles was inconsistent information regarding necessary paperwork. Some electors alleged they were not properly instructed to bring photocopies of their documents. Md Sufiyan Alam, a resident of Rajabazar who came to the Jessop Building venue, shared his predicament. "My BLO asked me to carry original documents only. Now, the AERO (Assistant Electoral Registration Officer) told me that I will have to submit photocopies of the documents," he said. This discrepancy forced voters into potentially unnecessary complications on the hearing day.
The collective grievances from Saturday's hearings point to a need for better coordination and voter facilitation by the election authorities. Ensuring officials can communicate in the local language, managing queue times efficiently, providing clear instructions, and maintaining basic amenities at all venues are essential for a smoother electoral revision process.
