Electoral Roll Hearings Proceed in Bengal as Deadline Extension Awaits EC Nod
Hearings for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll continued across multiple locations in West Bengal on Sunday, despite the Election Commission of India not issuing any formal notification to extend the deadline for this exercise. The original deadline for SIR hearings was set for February 7, but a significant backlog of pending cases prompted state Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal to write to the EC on Saturday, requesting a one-week extension.
State CEO Seeks Extension Amid High Volume of Cases
In his communication, Agarwal also asked the poll panel to postpone the deadline for the publication of the final voters’ list, which is currently scheduled for February 14 according to the original notification. The sheer number of unresolved applications has created a pressing need for additional time to ensure thorough verification and inclusion of eligible voters.
An official from the Election Commission clarified the procedural aspects, stating, "The extension of the SIR hearing and verification deadline is an internal matter. EC generally does not issue a notification for it. However, if the date for the publication of the final electoral roll is extended, EC will have to issue a notification." The official did not confirm whether an extension of the hearing deadline would automatically delay the publication of the voters’ list, leaving this point ambiguous.
Hearings Conducted Across Key Constituencies
Sources revealed that Agarwal directed all district election officers on Sunday to continue and expedite work related to hearings, document uploads, verification, and disposal of cases without waiting for the EC to formally extend the deadline. This proactive approach led to hearings being held at various sites, including multiple places in Kolkata, the Noapara assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas, Kurseong, and seven assembly constituencies in South 24 Parganas.
Most individuals who attended the hearings on Sunday had applied for enrolment as new voters because their names were absent from the draft SIR list published last month or due to "logical discrepancies" in their enumeration forms. The turnout highlighted ongoing issues with voter registration accuracy and accessibility.
Supreme Court to Hear Petitions on Bengal SIR
Adding to the complexity, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear seven petitions related to the Bengal SIR at 2 pm on Monday. These petitions, which include one filed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, will be heard together by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and N V Anjaria. The outcome of this hearing could significantly impact the electoral roll revision process and its timelines.
Voter Experiences Highlight Challenges
At the Survey Building in Alipore, long queues formed as many attendees reported receiving hearing notices just a day or two prior. Abhijit Das and his wife attended a hearing on behalf of their 18-year-old son, who is preparing for his Higher Secondary exams starting February 12. "We didn’t want him to waste time standing in a queue," Das explained, underscoring the personal inconveniences faced by citizens.
Afsar Hussain, a 42-year-old resident, was called for a hearing because his name was missing from the draft SIR list, despite having voted since 2005. "My name wasn’t there on the 2002 voters’ list, but my parents’ names were there," he recounted. His hearing was scheduled for 11:30 am, but even an hour later, he was still waiting for his Booth Level Officer to arrive and assist him, reflecting logistical delays.
At Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Institution in Phoolbagan, Tariq Ali shared that his BLO called him on Saturday night, asking him to appear for a hearing the next day. "I asked the BLO why I was being called today if the hearing process was over, but there was no answer," he said, pointing to communication gaps and confusion among officials and voters alike.
With additional inputs from Suparna Goswami in Kolkata, the situation remains fluid as state authorities push forward with hearings while awaiting clarity from the Election Commission and the Supreme Court on extensions and procedural adjustments.
