EC Cautions BLOs on SIR Hearing Protocols Amid Complaints Involving Ailing Voters

The Election Commission of India has issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and BLO supervisors if its directives regarding Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings are not followed.
The Commission has issued clear instructions specifying the categories of voters for whom hearings must be conducted at home. However, complaints have been received alleging non-compliance with these directives. Acting on these complaints, the Commission has reiterated that any violation of its instructions will invite disciplinary action against concerned officials.

The SIR hearing process began on December 27. Following objections raised by the Trinamool Congress over elderly and ailing voters being asked to visit hearing centres, the Election Commission clarified that certain categories of voters are exempt from appearing in person. These include voters who are hospitalised due to illness, pregnant women, and individuals aged above 85 years. Persons with disabilities are also not required to attend hearings at designated centres, and their hearings are to be conducted at their residences. However, the Commission stated that voters below the age of 85 are required to appear at hearing centres.

Despite EC’s directions, fresh allegations surfaced that elderly and seriously ill voters were still being compelled to attend hearing centres.

NTT has repeatedly reported on the difficulties faced by elderly voters who were summoned to block offices for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearings despite health constraints. Interactions with several such voters revealed that many were required to wait in long queues or were unable to obtain clear information on the documents deemed necessary for the SIR process.

Several elderly voters, suffering from ailments such as respiratory problems, arthritis and hearing impairments, were accompanied by their children or neighbours to reach the SIR hearing centres. Many expressed concern over the complexity of the process and the uncertainty surrounding its outcome, particularly with regard to their eligibility to vote and, by extension, their citizenship status.

The Commission on Thursday stated that if any voter above 85 years of age, pregnant woman, or seriously ill individual is forced to appear at a hearing centre, disciplinary action will be initiated against the concerned BLO and BLO supervisor.

The Commission also clarified the timeline for home-based hearings, stating that hearings for voters above 85 years of age, pregnant women, persons with serious illnesses, and persons with disabilities will be conducted at their residences during the final week of the hearing process.

Meanwhile, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the state has announced that it will recommend to the Election Commission that Madhyamik (Class 10) examination admit cards be accepted as valid documents during the hearing process, in addition to the documents already prescribed.

The Commission has also taken steps to ensure that tea garden workers in districts such as Darjeeling, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are not excluded from the SIR draft list due to lack of documentation. Many tea garden workers have been employed for generations, with some families working in plantations for nearly 200 years. Wage and provident fund records maintained by tea gardens are available for verification, and the Commission has directed that data be verified in accordance with provisions of the Tea Plantation Labour Act.​