§  58 lakh names deleted from WB voter list.?

§  SIR hearing starts Dec 26

§  Election Commission to visit homes of 85+ seniors. Check your status

§  A Lifeline for Senior Voters Amidst the SIR Storm

WB SIR Hearing 2026: A wave of panic has swept across West Bengal following the release of the Special Intensive Report (SIR) draft voter list. With reports suggesting that nearly 58 lakh names have been deleted, confusion is rampant. But the biggest question haunting families is: What happens to the elderly voters.?

Are citizens aged 85 and above being quietly removed from the electoral roll ahead of the critical West Bengal Assembly Election 2026.?

In a major relief, the Election Commission (EC) has stepped in with a groundbreaking solution. Recognizing the physical limitations of senior citizens, the commission is planning a “Doorstep Hearing” strategy. No more long queues or office visits—officials will come to your home to verify your status. Here is the full breakdown of the massive SIR hearing process starting December 26.

Details & Context: The “Mega Hearing” Begins

The political atmosphere in Bengal is turbulent as the SIR process enters its most crucial phase.

1. The 58 Lakh Deletion Shock
The draft SIR list has triggered a political earthquake. Nearly 58 lakh names have been flagged for deletion or verification. Shockingly, many living voters have found their names in the “deceased” category, while others face data mismatches.

2. The Mega Hearing Schedule
To fix these massive discrepancies, the Mega Hearing process begins on December 26.

·       Step 1: Hearing letters (Notices) are being dispatched to households starting today.

·       Duration: The hearing process has been extended until the first week of February 2026.

·       The Goal: To verify every flagged name before the final voter list is published.

3. The 85+ Voter Challenge
Currently, there are 2,22,696 voters in West Bengal aged 85 and above.

·       The Problem: Asking octogenarians to travel to hearing centers is impractical and inhumane.

·       The Solution: Taking a cue from the “Vote from Home” initiative during COVID-19, the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal has written to the Election Commission of India.

·       The Proposal: He has requested permission to conduct “At-Home Hearings” for these 2.2 lakh senior citizens. If verified, EC officials will visit their homes to resolve any issues, ensuring no genuine voter is disenfranchised due to age.

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Quotes: Ensuring No One is Left Behind

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal

“We have sent a proposal to the Commission to allow home hearings for those aged 85 and above. Just as we facilitated voting from home, we want to ensure the verification process comes to their doorstep.”

Political Analyst Reaction

“The deletion of 58 lakh names is unprecedented. If the Commission didn’t introduce this home-visit mechanism, it would have been a democratic disaster for the elderly population of Bengal.”

Additional Information: West Bengal Stands Alone

Interestingly, West Bengal is the only major state in India to have completed the SIR process on time.

·       Efficiency vs Errors: While the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) managed to finish the massive data collection within the deadline, the speed has come at a cost—scattered errors and wrongful deletions.

·       Other States: Most other states failed to meet the SIR deadline and have requested extensions from the Commission.

This puts Bengal in a unique position: it is ahead of the curve but now faces the massive task of correcting millions of entries in a very short window.

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Impact Analysis: The Politics of Deletion

The West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 is looming and the voter list is the battlefield.

1. Political Blame Game
Opposition parties are likely to allege that the massive deletions are a targeted attempt to manipulate the voter base. The “Doorstep Hearing” move is the EC’s attempt to neutralize these accusations by showing proactive care for vulnerable voters.

2. Anxiety on the Ground
For the common man, receiving a “Hearing Notice” is stressful. The assurance that officials will visit the elderly offers significant mental relief to families who were worried about transporting bedridden parents to government offices.

3. The Road to February
With the hearing process extended till February, the next two months will be chaotic. Expect high political drama as every deleted name becomes a point of contention.

Conclusion: Check Your Name Now.!

The Election Commission has made a commendable decision to bring the system to the people, rather than forcing the frail to come to the system. However, the responsibility also lies with the citizens.

If you have a family member aged 85+, do not panic if their name is missing. Wait for the notice, or check the status online. The “Doorstep Hearing” is your safety net. The SIR process is flawed, yes but the correction window is open.

West Bengal is witnessing one of the largest electoral purification drives in its history. Ensure you are part of it, not a casualty of it.

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Is your name on the list.? Have you received the SIR hearing notice yet.?

Follow and share ‘The Daily Hints’ for daily updates on the hearing schedule, how to check your name online and what documents you need for the home visit. Don’t let your vote be deleted.!

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