West Bengal May Extend SIR Hearing Deadline in 15 Assembly Constituencies
West Bengal may extend the SIR hearing deadline in 15 Assembly constituencies as voter list revision work remains pending. Over 4 lakh names marked for deletion.
Kolkata: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing deadline for the draft voter list in West Bengal may be extended in 15 Assembly constituencies, as election officials consider giving more time to complete the pending process. The current deadline is scheduled to end on Saturday, but work is still incomplete in several areas.
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Officials said the possible extension is aimed at ensuring that all genuine voters get a fair opportunity to submit claims and objections.
Pending Work in Key Assembly Segments
According to election authorities, the pending constituencies are spread across three major election districts:
- West Bengal
- Kolkata (North)
- Malda
- South 24 Parganas
Officials said a short extension of a few days is being considered only for constituencies where verification work is still ongoing.
District Election Officers Seek More Time
District Election Officers (DEOs) from the affected districts have already sent formal proposals requesting additional time to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
A senior official said the final decision will depend on the progress of hearings by Saturday. Based on ground-level reports, the CEO will send recommendations to the Election Commission for approval.
Over Four Lakh Names Marked for Deletion
During the voter list revision process, a large number of names have been flagged for removal due to non-verification.
Key figures include:
- Over 4 lakh voter names marked for deletion
- Around 50,000 voters classified as “unlinked”
- Nearly 3.5 lakh cases flagged for logical inconsistencies
Officials explained that “unlinked” voters are those who could not establish a verifiable personal or ancestral link with the 2002 voter list.
Large-Scale Cleanup of Electoral Rolls
The SIR exercise began after the release of the draft voter list in December. During the initial phase:
- 58.2 lakh names were removed
- These included deceased, shifted, or duplicate voters
Authorities said the exercise is aimed at maintaining a cleanoll-free and accurate voter database ahead of future elections.
Decision Expected Soon
The possible extension of the SIR hearing deadline in West Bengal is expected to be decided shortly. Officials said any extension will be limited and constituency-specific, ensuring that the voter list revision process remains transparent and fair.
The move is seen as crucial to protecting the voting rights of eligible citizens while strengthening the credibility of the electoral roll.
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