Supreme Court Steps In to Simplify Voter Verification in Kolkata
The Supreme Court issued new directions to the Election Commission of India on Monday, bringing much-needed relief to voters in Kolkata. These individuals faced hearings due to discrepancies in their electoral records during the Special Intensive Revision process.
Transparency and Convenience at the Forefront
Observing that the SIR process must be transparent and avoid causing inconvenience, the apex court ordered the EC to display names from the 'logical discrepancies' list publicly. This display will occur at gram panchayat bhavans and block offices, where voters can also submit documents and objections.
Additionally, the court granted electors an extra ten days to provide documents proving their eligibility for inclusion in the state electoral roll. This extension aims to reduce pressure on common people who struggle to prove their credentials.
Voters Express Relief and Hope
Mohammad Asif, a resident of Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, welcomed the decision. He attended a hearing at the ITI on SN Banerjee Road on Monday afternoon. "This comes as a big relief to common people burdened with proving their eligibility," he said. "The objective should be to simplify the process for voters, not complicate it."
Sushmita Saha, summoned for a hearing at Rani Rashmoni School on Wednesday, shared similar sentiments. "The directions ease anxiety and ensure transparency in the SIR exercise," she noted. "Many people struggle with this issue. The court's ruling will make things much easier. I will now carry the required documents accordingly."
Anil Singh, who appeared at Collin Institute on Lenin Sarani, hopes the guidelines reduce repeated visits. "I came for the second time today because the BLO requested more documents," he explained. "My details did not match my father's name in the 2002 electoral rolls. I hope the new ruling simplifies the process."
Clarity on Document Acceptance
Uncertainty over acceptable documents troubled many voters, especially elderly residents and those with name variations in older rolls. The court's direction to accept Madhyamik admit cards as proof of date of birth addressed this concern.
"My mother lacks a birth certificate but has school certificates as proof," Anil Singh added. "Now we can produce those."
Election Officials Welcome the Changes
Ground-level election officials believe the directions will streamline the process. A Booth Level Officer from the Chowringhee Assembly segment stated that the court's clarity would reduce tension at hearing centres.
"We work under immense pressure dealing directly with voters," the BLO said. "When we reject a document, voters often accuse us of harassment. Hopefully, the new directions will ease some of that pressure."
The Supreme Court's intervention marks a significant step toward making voter verification more voter-friendly in Kolkata, ensuring fairness and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
