KOLKATA: In a major relief to thousands of migrant workers, students and NRIs summoned for physical SIR hearings, Election Commission on Wednesday said relatives of electors who live outside Bengal can appear for hearings on their behalf.Hearings for 94.5 lakh voters with logical discrepancies, which will begin on Thursday, will have to be completed by February 8. While the hearing of unmapped voters is underway, EC released on BLO App the list of people to be summoned to clarify their ‘logical discrepancies’, including progeny mapping. “From Thursday onwards, BLOs will receive the hard copies of the hearing notices, which they will have to deliver to the houses of the persons concerned,” said an EC official, a day after the commission gave relief to over 41.5 lakh voters with minor discrepancies in electoral rolls.EC will also launch an online portal with secure video links to enable online hearings. The portal will also have an e-verification tab for online submission of hearing-related documents. EC, however, did not provide a timeline for the launch. Implementation details and eligibility criteria will be notified on the EC’s portal (https://ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/) soon, an official said.Trinamool Congress and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee have repeatedly flagged the issue of outstation electors being asked to personally appear for hearings. The party has told EC that when the country’s top courts can conduct hearings online, why can’t EC do so. Trinamool also cited this in its plea filed in SC on Tuesday.Bengal has over 23 lakh registered migrant workers, a large number of whom have been summoned for SIR hearings, as have thousands of NRIs and students whose SIR enumeration forms were filled up by their parents or other family members.EC officials said the latest initiative is aimed at easing the logistic burden on voters displaced due to work or living abroad and to ensure broader participation in the ongoing SIR process. “Our priority is inclusivity without compromising verification integrity,” an official said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosImran Khan’s Family Stages Prayer Protest After Being Barred From Meeting Him At Adiala JailImran Khan’s Sister Aleema, PTI Members Hold Prayers Outside Adiala Jail After Meet DeniedTharoor Flags UN Charter Violations, Voices Concern Over US Action In VenezuelaUS Issues Blunt Warning To Indian Students: Breaking Laws May Cost Visas, Careers And Future DreamsCongress-BJP Tie-Up Claims In Ambernath Create Rift, Put Mahayuti Alliance Under Fresh Strain“Worst Kind of Discrimination in PoJK”: UKPNP Chairman Flags Deepening CrisisNo Compromise On Terror: PM Modi, Benjamin Netanyahu Reaffirm India Israel Strategic PartnershipOwaisi Slams MCD Demolition, Says Turkman Gate Land Fully Belongs To WaqfNehru Catered To Liaquat Ali Khan, Ignored Somnath History: BJP MP Sudhanshu TrivediUS FARA Filings Expose How Pakistan Lobbied Washington To Somehow Stop India’s Operation Sindoor123Photostories5 signs of emotionally unavailable partnersFrom films to music, the lesser known sides of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ director Farhan Akhtar9 mistakes to avoid while making biryani at homeWinter Special: How to make traditional Besan Ka Sheera at home5 adorable-looking animals that are surprisingly deadly5 red flags people often ignore in friendships (But shouldn’t!)6 classic non-vegetarian Cutlets to enjoy during winter monthsVijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ to Prabhas’ ‘The Raja Saab’: Biggest South releases for Pongal 2026Can you guess the temples and places featured on INR 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 currency notes?How to add smoky flavour to winter dishes without using a tandoor at home123Hot PicksBudget 2026Venezuela NewsGold rate todayStock Market TodayCigarette price hikePublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMLB Trade RumorsTommy Fleetwood and Clare Fleetwood Net WorthTravis KelceTaylor SwiftJimmie Johnson Net WorthEdward CabreraJamahal HillValentino Rossi and Francesca Sofia Novello Net WorthBrad Marchand Net WorthNHL Trade Rumor
KOLKATA: In a major relief to thousands of migrant workers, students and NRIs summoned for physical SIR hearings, Election Commission on Wednesday said relatives of electors who live outside Bengal can appear for hearings on their behalf.Hearings for 94.5 lakh voters with logical discrepancies, which will begin on Thursday, will have to be completed by February 8. While the hearing of unmapped voters is underway, EC released on BLO App the list of people to be summoned to clarify their ‘logical discrepancies’, including progeny mapping. “From Thursday onwards, BLOs will receive the hard copies of the hearing notices, which they will have to deliver to the houses of the persons concerned,” said an EC official, a day after the commission gave relief to over 41.5 lakh voters with minor discrepancies in electoral rolls.EC will also launch an online portal with secure video links to enable online hearings. The portal will also have an e-verification tab for online submission of hearing-related documents. EC, however, did not provide a timeline for the launch. Implementation details and eligibility criteria will be notified on the EC’s portal (https://ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in/) soon, an official said.Trinamool Congress and Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee have repeatedly flagged the issue of outstation electors being asked to personally appear for hearings. The party has told EC that when the country’s top courts can conduct hearings online, why can’t EC do so. Trinamool also cited this in its plea filed in SC on Tuesday.Bengal has over 23 lakh registered migrant workers, a large number of whom have been summoned for SIR hearings, as have thousands of NRIs and students whose SIR enumeration forms were filled up by their parents or other family members.EC officials said the latest initiative is aimed at easing the logistic burden on voters displaced due to work or living abroad and to ensure broader participation in the ongoing SIR process. “Our priority is inclusivity without compromising verification integrity,” an official said.
