Kolkata, 05 January (H.S.): In a significant move to ensure that marginalised communities are not deprived of their voting rights during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to set up 160 special decentralised hearing centres across select districts of West Bengal.

Officials associated with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said the centres will be established in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Jhargram, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Nadia, Paschim Bardhaman, Howrah and North 24 Parganas. If required, similar centres may also be opened in coastal areas of South 24 Parganas.

Sources said district magistrates, who also function as district election officers, had proposed the setting up of such special centres in their respective regions through the Chief Electoral Officer. Considering the necessity and validity of the proposals, the Election Commission approved the plan.

According to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, the Commission has remained sensitive since the beginning of the SIR process to ensure that people from marginalised sections are not excluded from the electoral rolls due to procedural complexities. Several relaxations have been introduced from time to time for this purpose, and the decision to open 160 special hearing centres is being seen as a continuation of that approach.

These centres will function as temporary hearing camps in remote and inaccessible areas for one or more days. Electoral officials will be present on-site to hear grievances, reducing the need for voters to travel to district headquarters.

Last week, the Election Commission had also announced that voters belonging to three tribal communities Birhor, Toto and Sabar would be automatically included in the final electoral rolls without the requirement of any documents.

Earlier, special relaxations regarding identity documents were also announced for sex workers, members of the transgender community and ascetics. The Commission has clarified that documentary requirements for these groups will not be as stringent as those for general voters, to ensure that no eligible citizen is denied the right to vote.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh