CEO: West Bengal to have SIR hearings with almost 1.36 crore voters
CEO: According to a top Election Commission official, almost 1.36 crore voters would be summoned for hearings as part of West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral lists.
According to him, the state finished the SIR process in the allotted period.
“We completed ahead of schedule among the major states. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal said on Tuesday that other people have requested extra time.
“Hearings will be held for around 1 crore 36 lakh voters, however this figure may drop. “It will definitely be taken into consideration if someone is unable to attend a hearing for a legitimate reason,” he said.
These voters’ names were highlighted during the operation, according to Agarwal.
Following SIR, the Commission released West Bengal’s draft electoral records on Tuesday. In preparation for the 2026 assembly elections, it redrawn voter profiles across districts and border areas and removed the names of almost 58 lakh voters on a number of factors, including migration and death.
He said that mismatches and administrative issues had led to the removal of certain names from the draft rolls.
He said that voters whose names are not on the draft lists should submit Form 6 and Annexure 4. “They will also be called, and there will be no difficulty,” he stated.
According to him, booth-level officers (BLOs) have already begun going door-to-door to inform those who would be summoned for a hearing.
Additionally, the CEO advocated for increased authority devolution.
“The EROs in Bihar were tasked with handling disposals. “We are requesting additional authority for AEROs,” he said.
Agarwal also recognized the significance political parties played in the process.
“Agents of political parties have helped us, and we are thanking them for their cooperation,” he said. He said that the observers may get complaints or information on the draft rolls.
“Special camps have been opened, and BLA-BLO meetings have been held,” he said.