A Trinamool Congress delegation visited the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer’s office in Kolkata to address issues with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing sessions. They questioned the Election Commission for summoning elderly and sick individuals to these sessions and for not allowing Booth Level Agents (BLAs) inside the hearing center.
During the meeting with the West Bengal CEO, the delegation, consisting of MPs Partha Bhowmick, Bapi Haldar, and state Ministers Shashi Panja, Pulak Roy, and Birbaha Hansda, emphasized the challenges faced by senior citizens and people with disabilities during the hearings. Trinamool MP Partha Bhowmick highlighted the lack of attention to their physical conditions by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The delegation urged the ECI to conduct SIR hearings by sending officials to the homes of elderly and sick individuals. Additionally, they reiterated the demand for the presence of booth-level agents at the hearings, emphasizing the need for their participation similar to the door-to-door verification phase.
Trinamool legislator Bhowmick also called for virtual hearings to accommodate individuals who are unable to attend in person due to various reasons such as studies or work commitments. He warned of further actions if their concerns are not addressed promptly by the Election Commission of India and the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
West Bengal CEO assured the delegation of discussing these issues with the Chief Election Commissioner and hinted at a potential decision to facilitate the hearing process for senior citizens at their homes.
