Archive · 1 Jan 2026
Bengal CEO Clarifies on SIR Hearings
The Bengal Chief Electoral Officer clarified that a report about family members of a Trinamool MP being summoned for hearings as part of the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls was misleading.
The officer stated that the forms were submitted correctly and there were no irregularities.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) also issued an ultimatum to district authorities to list apartment complexes for setting up polling booths, warning of strict action for non-compliance.
The Trinamool Congress opposes this move, while the BJP supports it, believing it will benefit their voters.
The ECI proposed setting up polling booths inside housing societies to boost voter turnout, especially in urban areas.
Additionally, new schedules of responsibilities have been announced for Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the ongoing SIR exercise, which will continue until the final voters’ list is published on 14 February 2026.
Bengal CEO clarified that the report on Trinamool MP's family members being summoned for SIR hearings was misleading.
The forms submitted by the MP's family members were found to be in order with no irregularities.
ECI issued an ultimatum to district authorities to list apartment complexes for polling booths by Wednesday.
Trinamool Congress opposes setting up polling booths in private premises, while BJP supports the move.
New schedules of responsibilities announced for BLOs, requiring their presence at polling booths for specific hours daily until the final voters’ list is published.
- Who
- Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Election Commission of India (ECI), Booth-Level Officers (BLOs)
- What
- Clarification on SIR hearings, new schedule for BLOs, ultimatum to list apartment complexes for polling booths
- When
- 27 December 2025, 10 December 2025, 2 January 2026 to 14 February 2026
- Where
- West Bengal, Kolkata
- Why
- To correct misleading reports, ensure compliance with ECI directives, and manage the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise
Trinamool Congress
BJP
Polling Booths in Private Premises
Trinamool Congress
Opposes setting up polling booths in private premises.
BJP
Supports the move, believing it will benefit their voters.
- Issue
- Misleading report on SIR hearings
- MP Involved
- Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar
- Family Members
- Mother, sisters, and two sons
- Action Taken
- Summoned for SIR hearings
- ECI Ultimatum
- List apartment complexes for polling booths
- Districts Involved
- Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman
- Trinamool Congress Stance
- Opposed to polling booths in private premises
- BJP Stance
- Welcomed the move
- BLOs Schedule
- Two hours daily from Monday to Friday, four hours on weekends
- Forms Handled
- Form-6, Form-7, Form-8
- Draft Voters’ List Published
- 16 December 2025
- Final Voters’ List
- 14 February 2026
Sources
No ‘irregularity’: Bengal chief electoral officer clarifies on SIR hearing for Trinamool MP’s kin
For 2nd time this month, EC pulls up Bengal DEOs for not listing apartment complexes for polling booths
Poll Body Slams Complaints Against Officials Over 'SIR Deaths' In Bengal
‘Vote Theft Happening In Bengal’: TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee Attacks Poll Body Over SIR, BJP Hits Back
