Voter Complaints Rise on First Hearing Day in Kolkata

Kolkata: On the inaugural day of voter hearings in Kolkata, numerous participants reported facing significant difficulties, primarily stemming from language issues and extensive waiting times. The hearings, which took place on Saturday at Ganabhavan, located near Sovabazar, saw electors expressing frustration over the lack of Bengali-speaking Election Commission officials.

Gobinda Mallick, a voter from part number 91 in the Shyampukur Assembly constituency, shared his experience, stating, "I requested them to change my hearing date as my documents are presently at my son's place. But I faced a lot of hardship in communicating it as they are not well conversant with the Bengali language, and I am also poor in Hindi. With the help of the Booth Level Officer, I managed to change my hearing date."

Despite these challenges, voters noted that the Ganabhavan venue was adequately equipped with essential facilities, including drinking water and restrooms.

In contrast, the situation at Sri Vidya Niketan, another venue nearby, was markedly different. There, a long line of voters formed in a narrow passageway, with many people waiting for over an hour due to slow processing times. Laxmi Prasad Shaw, another voter, expressed his concerns, saying, "I have been standing for over an hour at the same place. The queue is not moving at all. The officials are taking time to complete one hearing." He also highlighted the absence of basic amenities like drinking water and washroom facilities at this location.

Additionally, some voters raised complaints regarding the documentation requirements. Md Sufiyan Alam, a resident of Rajabazar who attended the hearings at Jessop Building, explained, "My Booth Level Officer asked me to carry only original documents. Now, the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer told me that I will have to submit photocopies of the documents."

These issues have sparked concerns about the efficiency and accessibility of the electoral process in Kolkata, highlighting the need for improvements in communication and logistics for future hearings.