Should Voters Be Summoned for Minor Issues During SIR Hearings?
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Synopsis
In a recent statement, the Trinamool Congress criticized the Election Commission for summoning voters over trivial issues during the Special Intensive Revision process. They demand hearings take place at local offices to reduce public inconvenience. This article explores the party's concerns and the implications for the electoral process in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- Trinamool Congress raises concerns about voter harassment.
- Calls for SIR hearings to be held locally.
- Aadhaar card should be recognized as a valid document.
- Warning of protests if mass deletions occur.
- Efforts to make the electoral process more accessible.
Kolkata, Dec 23 (NationPress) Following the release of the draft voters' list after the initial phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, the Trinamool Congress raised concerns on Tuesday, asserting that voters are experiencing harassment due to being summoned over trivial matters during the electoral roll hearing process.
After a discussion with West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal, the Trinamool Congress contended that there is no justification for calling these voters.
The ruling party in West Bengal urged that the SIR hearing process be held at local government facilities.
Additionally, the Trinamool Congress cautioned that if the Election Commission of India (ECI) proceeds with the removal of over one crore names, they will initiate a protest.
A five-member delegation from the Trinamool Congress met with CEO Agarwal on Tuesday.
This group included three state ministers: Chandrima Bhattacharya, Shashi Panja, and Pulak Roy, alongside Trinamool Congress MPs Partha Bhowmick and Bapi Halder.
Post-meeting, the Trinamool Congress held a press conference, advocating for an end to the summoning of voters for minor issues during the SIR exercise.
Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya stated, "We have informed the Election Commission that summoning voters for logical discrepancies, such as name spelling errors or variations between English and Bengali, is unnecessary."
The Trinamool Congress delegation has also sought recognition of the Aadhaar card as a valid document, specifically as the twelfth document.
The ruling party expressed concerns that the Election Commission is only referencing eleven documents without including the Aadhaar card, leading to public confusion.
Minister Bhattacharya remarked, "During the SIR process in Bihar, the Supreme Court mandated acceptance of the Aadhaar card. However, the Election Commission does not refer to this anywhere. They claim the Aadhaar card does not prove citizenship, but we assert that none of the documents mentioned by the Election Commission serve as proof of citizenship. Moreover, the Supreme Court has indicated that the Election Commission cannot confer citizenship in any manner."
In addition to these requests, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress has also insisted that the SIR hearing process be conducted at local government offices.
The ruling party noted that traveling to distant block or district magistrate offices could be challenging for many and would incur additional costs.
"We urge that hearings be conducted at the Gram Panchayat or municipal offices, organized ward by ward, with proper guidelines issued. Otherwise, confusion among the public will persist," Minister Bhattacharya added.
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the concerns raised by the Trinamool Congress regarding the electoral process. Their call for more accessible hearings aligns with the need to make voting inclusive and less burdensome for citizens. Balancing electoral integrity with public convenience is crucial for a healthy democracy.
NationPress
23/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the demands of the Trinamool Congress regarding the SIR process?
The Trinamool Congress demands that the Election Commission cease summoning voters for minor issues during the SIR process and that hearings be conducted at local government offices.
Why is the Aadhaar card important in this context?
The Trinamool Congress argues that the Aadhaar card should be recognized as a valid document for voter identification, as its exclusion is causing confusion among the public.
What could happen if the Election Commission removes over one crore names?
The Trinamool Congress has warned that they will protest if the Election Commission proceeds with the deletion of over one crore voter names from the rolls.
