The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, has initiated steps to address the issue of serving SIR hearing notices to voters residing abroad or outside the state, including a large number of migrant workers, said sources in the Election Commission.
According to sources, the CEO’s office is preparing to send a proposal to the Election Commission of India (ECI) recommending special arrangements for voters living outside the state and overseas.
“The proposal suggests exploring alternative mechanisms such as conducting hearings through digital means or permitting the uploading of required documents via a separate online portal for migrant workers and expatriate voters. The final decision on implementing these measures will rest with the ECI,” said an official of the commission.
Alongside this development, the Commission has taken a key decision regarding document admissibility under the SIR process.
Sources said that, in addition to the documents already prescribed, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) certificates will also be accepted as valid proof.
At the same time, the Commission has categorically ruled out the acceptance of domicile certificates. On Tuesday, it clarified that domicile certificates will not be considered under any circumstances during SIR hearings. Commission sources added that voters who have already submitted domicile certificates may be summoned for hearings again.
Also Read: EC orders home SIR hearings for elderly, disabled voters in WB
Earlier, the Commission had indicated that the validity of domicile certificates would be verified by the concerned District Magistrate (DM) or District Election Officer (DEO). Following this, the state CEO’s office sought clarification from the West Bengal government regarding the authority responsible for issuing such certificates.
The state government informed that domicile certificates were issued by District Magistrates until 1999, after which the authority was delegated to Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs). Notably, these SDOs are also functioning as Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) during the SIR process.
After receiving this clarification, the state CEO’s office wrote to the Election Commission in New Delhi seeking confirmation on whether domicile certificates could be treated as valid documents. Based on that communication, Commission sources said, a final decision has now been taken that domicile certificates are not acceptable.
With thousands of voters from West Bengal currently working in other states or living abroad, the CEO’s proposal is being seen as crucial to ensuring their participation in the SIR process, even as the ECI’s decision on the suggested digital alternatives is awaited.
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