KOLKATA: Multiple deaths and instances of distress have been reported across West Bengal as hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls entered their third day, triggering anxiety among elderly and vulnerable voters asked to appear before Election Commission officials.
In Purulia’s Para, an 82-year-old man, Durjan Majhi, died early Monday, just hours before he was scheduled to attend an SIR hearing at the local BDO office. His son, Kanai Majhi, said his father had been under severe stress since receiving the notice on December 25, despite having submitted the enumeration form and having his name listed in the 2002 electoral roll. The family said they were unable to understand why he was summoned for a hearing.
Two other elderly men also died shortly after receiving or attending SIR notices. In Howrah’s Amta, 75-year-old Jamat Ali passed away at his home on Sunday night, hours after receiving a hearing notice. Howrah district magistrate P Deepap Priya said Ali had been unwell and that an inquiry was underway following claims by family members that he was anxious about the hearing. In Kalyani, 72-year-old Jaharlal Mahato died of cardiac arrest on Monday, two days after attending an SIR hearing. His son said Mahato had been distressed since being called for verification despite his name appearing on the 2002 voter list.
As hearings continued, reports emerged of elderly, infirm, and pregnant individuals waiting in long queues across districts. At the Dinhata Block I BDO office in Cooch Behar, 96-year-old Nikhil Chandra Sarkar appeared before officials with his family despite serious mobility issues. He said he was the only member of his household to receive a notice and expressed frustration after submitting all available documents.
At Katwa I BDO office in East Burdwan, a 90-year-old bedridden woman, Muktibala Paramanik, was brought from her home located 4 km away. Her grandson described the process as harassment, saying she was asked to sign documents and then allowed to leave.
East Burdwan district magistrate Ayesha Rani said there were no written instructions mandating home hearings for elderly voters, but added that she had directed officials not to summon elderly and infirm individuals.
Concerns were also raised over pregnant women being called for hearings. In Taki, an eight-month-pregnant homemaker, Supriya Mondal, fell ill while waiting in a long queue at the Basirhat Block II BDO office. Her family said she collapsed after standing for hours. In central Kolkata, a young woman attended a hearing with her three-month-old child after being summoned due to a discrepancy caused by an error in voter record details, according to her husband.
The Election Commission said booth-level officers would conduct home visits on request for voters aged 85 and above, as well as for those with disabilities or serious ailments, amid mounting concern over the conduct of the hearings.
