Kolkata, 1 January: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday evening announced special relaxations in identification document formalities for four categories of voters during the hearing sessions on claims and objections related to the draft voter list in West Bengal. This is the second phase of the three-phase Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state.
The four categories include the tribal community, sex workers, transgender and other communities, and declared monks.
An insider from the office of West Bengal’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) revealed that during the hearing sessions, the commission decided to ease the strictness regarding the authenticity of required identity documents for these voters, unlike regular categories, to establish their voting rights.
Regarding sex workers and transgender individuals, the relaxation has been granted because many from these groups face social and familial exclusion and often lack original documents to prove their identity as legitimate Indian voters.
The CEO’s office source added that transgender voters face additional challenges due to discrepancies in their original and current documents, including differences in name, appearance, and most importantly, gender.
However, the commission has clarified that this special relaxation applies only to these four categories; no other voter groups will receive similar leniency concerning document authenticity.
As for monks, there are issues with differences in names used before and after taking monastic vows, which is why they too will be granted special relaxation in identity document requirements.
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