SIR hearings in West Bengal: Voters say process was smooth but document-related issues persist

Hearings for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) began in West Bengal on Saturday with several people going to hearing centres across the state, carrying one of the 13 identification documents as required by the Election Commission (EC). Voters were given hearing notices over the last one week, with hearing dates and a time slot allotted to them. Hearings are conducted in District Magistrate (DM) offices, Block Development Offices (BDO), Sub-Divisional Offices (SDO), government schools and colleges.

“It is a smooth process, they [the officials] were quite clear. They had instructed me on the phone exactly what I needed to carry. There were two or three people ahead of us. In half an hour, we were in and out within no time. As long as you have your documents, it is all smooth,” said Ranveer Singh, one of the voters.

Another voter, Sumedha, echoed his views, saying, “They are quite understanding and doing the best they can. I expected a lot worse, so I'm quite happy. In fact, one of my documents was left behind, so they said I could send it across today itself.”

Some voters were worried about issues related to documents. Gautam Goswami who lives in a joint family got hearing notice along with his brother. Though he has been voting since before the last 2002 SIR list came out, he received a hearing notice. “They are not accepting our Aadhaar card, voter ID or PAN. I submitted my ration card. I have voted more than five or six times, but my name is not in the 2002 SIR list,” he said.

Other concerns with the SIR were first-time voters and those staying outside the city. “My daughter is a first-time voter and is studying in Mumbai. They are not accepting her documents unless she is physically present. The next hearing date is January 19 when she has exams. They asked us to write to the CEO but I don’t think it will help. They have given up but that does not help citizens. It is harassment,” said Kaveri Gucheria.

Her husband Nikhil Gucheria asked, “Officers here are saying this is not in our authority, then why are they here?”

Booth Level Officers (BLO) and Booth Level Agents (BLA) were seen assisting voters at hearing centres. “The hearing is completely smooth and there is no question of any harm done. Most people have passports, which I think is sufficient to prove citizenship,” said Ujwal Bhattacharya, a BLA.

BLO Tapan Banik said, “The voters were very cooperative. They are not scared, they have their documents.”

The Trinamool Congress, which has been opposing the SIR from the beginning, met Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal on Saturday to address their concerns. This is the second meeting of the five-member delegation in a week.

Claiming the election commission is not prepared, Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the hearing dates were given within five days. “How could those who come from another city or state get verification documents within five days? You are giving time verbally but not in reality,” he added.

While the first day of hearings came with its own challenges, the second phase of SIR hopes to address concerns of new and existing eligible voters ahead of the assembly polls scheduled early next year.