Kolkata’s SIR Exercise Descends into Voter Confusion
The Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in Kolkata has sparked frustration among voters, with reports of multiple Booth Level Officers (BLOs) operating in the same areas and poorly designed forms causing widespread uncertainty. The exercise, aimed at updating voter lists ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has left many questioning the efficiency of the process.
Voters Face On-Ground Chaos
Residents across Kolkata have reported being approached by multiple BLOs with inconsistent instructions. Some were asked to reverify details multiple times, while others received outdated or conflicting forms.
“One BLO gave me Form 6, another came days later with a different version. Who should we trust?”
— Priyanka Ghosh, Behala resident
Additional complaints include:
– Poorly explained technical jargon in forms, discouraging first-time and elderly voters.
– No hard copies of forms, forcing voters to print them independently.
Political Blame Game Erupts
While the State Election Commission (SEC) insists the SSR is progressing smoothly, opposition parties allege deliberate mismanagement:
– BJP’s Kolkata chief Debashree Chowdhury claims: “This chaos is a tactic to manipulate voter rolls.”
– TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh counters: “SSR is a central process—BJP must answer for lapses.”
Voter Mistrust Grows
With rising administrative confusion, citizens like Saltlake student Arjun Das question: “If the system is flawed, how do we trust the final voter list?” Activists warn marginalized communities may face disenfranchisement due to low awareness.
SEC’s Vague Assurance
An SEC official admitted to “isolated incidents” but promised BLO coordination improvements. No concrete steps have been announced, leaving voters in limbo.
How Voters Can Protect Their Rights
- Verify details online via the Electoral Roll Portal.
- Contact BLOs directly (details on ECI’s site) for clarity.
- Report errors to the District Election Officer or SEC helpline.
Conclusion: A Threat to Electoral Integrity?
The SSR, intended to ensure fair elections, risks alienating voters through bureaucratic disarray. Without urgent fixes, Kolkata’s electoral credibility hangs in the balance.
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