Kolkata: The Election Commission’s announcement on 27 October 2025 regarding the commencement of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) across West Bengal and 12 other states and union territories has triggered widespread concern among citizens. The draft voter list will be published following the SIR exercise, and the final list is expected on 7 February 2026, after disposal of objections.
Amid rising apprehension, Maulana Siddiqullah Chowdhury, President of the West Bengal Jamiat-e-Ulama, has placed a series of demands and recommendations before the Election Commission, urging transparency and caution in the process.
Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind—an organisation with a 106-year-old legacy rooted in India’s freedom movement—has been actively involved in citizen awareness drives. On 25 September 2025, at the West Bengal Urdu Academy, the state committee resolved to conduct statewide SIR Awareness Camps to educate people about the importance and implications of the revision.
Key Concerns Highlighted
Siddiqullah Chowdhury cautioned that the SIR process must not be taken lightly, as it directly affects the fundamental right to vote. He urged citizens to remain alert throughout the revision period.
He advised people to:
Submit the hand-written enumeration form well before 4 December.
Collect and preserve the BLO’s stamped receipt copy after form submission.
Use the name of a living relative, not a deceased one, when establishing lineage with the 2002 voter list.
Remain vigilant even if their name is included in the draft list, ensuring it stays in the final list released on 7 February.
Avoid providing incorrect or false information during corrections.
Demands for Inclusion of Marginalised Communities
Chowdhury emphasised that the Election Commission must adopt special measures to ensure the participation of vulnerable groups, including:
Adivasis
Migrant workers
Tea garden labourers
Daily wage earners
Homeless and destitute individuals
Residents of orphanages and old-age homes
Persons with disabilities
He stressed that widespread public awareness campaigns are essential to prevent genuine citizens from being excluded from the electoral roll.
