ECI relaxes hearing rules for 100+ migrant workers, students amid SIR exercise — Physical presence not mandatory for certain voters outside the state

Bengal SIR: ECI Sets Target of Seven Lakh Hearings Per Day to Complete Process by February 7

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has significantly stepped up its efforts to complete the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, setting an ambitious target of seven lakh hearings per day to meet the February 7 deadline. The move comes amid mounting pressure to finalise the voter verification exercise well ahead of the publication of the final electoral roll.

The SIR exercise, undertaken to update and cleanse voter lists, involves hearing claims and objections related to the draft electoral rolls published earlier. West Bengal, given its large electorate and politically sensitive environment, has emerged as one of the most challenging states for the Commission in terms of scale and logistics.

To meet the accelerated timeline, the ECI has expanded the number of hearing centres across the state to approximately 6,500, nearly doubling the existing capacity. With this expansion, each centre is expected to conduct over 100 hearings daily. The Commission believes that enhanced infrastructure, combined with additional manpower, will make the target achievable.

Officials associated with the process said the revision drive has entered a critical phase, as a substantial number of voters were flagged during earlier scrutiny. These include cases involving document discrepancies, non-linkage with earlier electoral rolls, and logical errors in application forms. Each such case requires a personal hearing before electoral registration officers to determine eligibility.

The deadline for completing hearings on claims and objections is February 7, following which the final electoral roll is scheduled to be published on February 14. The completion of this process is essential before any further steps can be taken towards conducting the next Assembly elections in the state.

The push for speed follows concerns over the pace of progress so far. With a massive number of cases pending, the Commission has acknowledged the need for tighter coordination at the district and booth levels. Additional assistant electoral registration officers and supervisory staff have been deployed to reduce delays and streamline decision-making.

The SIR process has also drawn sharp political reactions in the state. Several parties have raised concerns over procedural rigidity, alleging that minor discrepancies such as spelling variations or documentation gaps could result in the exclusion of eligible voters. The Election Commission, however, has reiterated that the exercise is being conducted strictly in accordance with established guidelines, with safeguards in place to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised unfairly.

Election officials have emphasised that hearings are an opportunity for voters to present their case and clarify discrepancies. Voters whose names are marked for verification have been advised to attend hearings at designated centres with necessary documents to avoid exclusion from the final roll.

Administratively, the scale of the exercise remains formidable. Managing lakhs of hearings daily requires precise coordination, reliable data management systems, and sustained effort from election staff operating under tight timelines. Despite the challenges, the Commission has expressed confidence that the revised strategy will allow the process to conclude on schedule.

Officials have reiterated that the objective of the Special Intensive Revision is to strengthen the credibility of the electoral process by ensuring that voter rolls are accurate and up to date. According to the Election Commission, the exercise is routine but assumes added significance in states with high population mobility and dense electorates like West Bengal.

Special instructions have been issued to district election officers to prioritise cases involving senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and migrant workers to ensure they are not inconvenienced by repeated visits. Flexible hearing schedules and alternative verification mechanisms are being explored to accommodate voters unable to attend hearings during working hours.

The Commission has also directed field officials to adopt a facilitative approach rather than a punitive one while conducting hearings. Electoral officers have been advised to assist voters in rectifying errors and submitting additional documents where required, instead of outright rejection of claims.

The outcome of the SIR in West Bengal is being closely watched, as it will not only shape the state’s electoral roll but also set a precedent for similar exercises elsewhere. With the February 7 deadline approaching rapidly, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Commission can successfully balance speed with accuracy in one of the country’s most complex electoral exercises.