Jyoti Prakash Mukherjee, Asansol, Paschim Bardhaman
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The first phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list has concluded. The counting forms have been submitted. The hearing phase is soon to begin for those whose submitted information was found to have discrepancies. As preparation for this, an all-party meeting was held at the Asansol Sub-Divisional Officer’s (Sadar) office, in the presence of representatives from political parties recognized by the National Election Commission. The meeting, presided over by Sub-Divisional Officer (Sadar) Biswajit Bhattacharya, was attended by representatives from various political parties of the Asansol North, Asansol South, and Kulti assembly constituencies.
Trinamool Congress representative and Asansol Municipal Corporation Mayor-in-Council Gurudas Chatterjee said that the District Administration has informed them that hearings will be held at five locations for each assembly constituency. However, the Trinamool Congress has proposed that the hearing process be organized at a minimum of ten locations. Otherwise, it will be difficult for poor people living in remote areas to reach the designated centers for the hearings. Despite being legitimate voters, their names might be removed from the voter list in this process. He further added that the Trinamool Congress will make all necessary arrangements to transport those summoned for the hearings to the hearing centers.
Later, Sub-Divisional Officer (Sadar) Biswajit Bhattacharya said that the Administration is organizing the hearings related to the ‘Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls’ as per the instructions of the Election Commission. Some proposals have been sent by the district administration to increase the number of hearing centers, taking into account the suggestions of the political parties. Incidentally, this hearing process is likely to begin in the Asansol subdivision from December 26th.
