Did ECI Address Abhishek Banerjee's Allegations Regarding Amartya Sen's Hearing Notice?
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Synopsis
The ECI has addressed allegations made by Abhishek Banerjee about sending a hearing notice to Amartya Sen concerning the draft voters' list in West Bengal. This article delves into the details of the ECI's clarification, the implications for Sen, and the political ramifications of Banerjee's claims. Stay tuned for an overview of a significant electoral process.
Key Takeaways
- The ECI clarified that no notice was served to Amartya Sen.
- Abhishek Banerjee's claims were based on a misunderstanding of the situation.
- Senior citizens aged 85 and above are not required to appear for hearings in person.
- The issue stemmed from a simple spelling error in the enumeration form.
- Amartya Sen continues to be a voter in his native district.
Kolkata, Jan 6 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a clarification on Tuesday regarding the assertions made by Abhishek Banerjee, the General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress and Lok Sabha MP. Banerjee alleged that the Commission had sent a notice for a hearing related to claims and objections concerning the draft voters' list in West Bengal to Amartya Sen, a Nobel laureate and renowned economist.
Shortly after Banerjee's remarks at a public gathering in Birbhum district, which is also Sen's native area where he remains a registered voter, the ECI clarified that the situation concerning Sen arose due to some "logical discrepancies" linked to a spelling error in the enumeration form. Consequently, no notice has been issued to Sen for appearing at the hearing.
An insider from the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) stated, "The Nobel Awardee economist is 92 years of age. According to the Commission's regulations, senior citizens aged 85 and above are not required to physically attend the hearing. Instead, the electoral registration officer (EROs) will visit their homes to conduct the necessary hearing for corrections. Since the issue with Sen is merely a spelling error, the Commission has instructed the booth-level officer (BLO) to rectify this mistake."
Sen's family home is situated in Bolpur-Santiniketan, Birbhum district, where he continues to vote despite his long-term residence in the United States as a non-resident Indian.
The last time he participated in voting at Bolpur-Santiniketan was during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
Earlier on Tuesday, while addressing a rally in Birbhum, Banerjee accused the ECI of sending a hearing notice to Amartya Sen, stating, "The man who has made the country proud has been served with a hearing notice. The man who has brought global recognition for India -- Amartya Sen -- has received notice for the SIR hearing."
Point of View
It is crucial to present the facts surrounding the ECI's clarification on Abhishek Banerjee's claims regarding Amartya Sen. This situation reflects the intersection of politics and electoral processes, shedding light on how information can be manipulated. Our commitment is to provide accurate and unbiased coverage, ensuring that the public is well-informed.
NationPress
07/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Abhishek Banerjee's claim regarding Amartya Sen?
Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the ECI had sent a hearing notice to Amartya Sen concerning the draft voters' list in West Bengal.
What did the ECI clarify about the notice?
The ECI clarified that there was no notice served to Amartya Sen; the issue arose from a spelling error in the enumeration form.
Is Amartya Sen required to appear at the hearing?
No, according to ECI guidelines, senior citizens aged 85 and above are not required to physically attend hearings; the necessary corrections will be made at their residences.
Where does Amartya Sen reside?
Amartya Sen's ancestral home is in Bolpur-Santiniketan, Birbhum district, West Bengal, although he currently resides in the United States.
When was the last time Amartya Sen voted?
Amartya Sen last voted in Bolpur-Santiniketan during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
