Naxalbari, January 03 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Fresh questions have emerged over the role of the Election Commission after a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing notice was issued to a specially-abled voter in Naxalbari, raising concerns about the implementation of the voter verification process.
The specially-abled voter, Tirtha Bahadur Rai, appeared for the hearing at the Naxalbari BDO office. A resident of Sukanta Pally in Bagdogra, he has been physically challenged since birth and has a 60 per cent disability. He is also a beneficiary of the state government’s disability allowance.
According to sources, the hearing was scheduled as the names of his family members were reportedly missing from records dating back to 2002. To attend the hearing, Tirtha travelled around nine kilometres by a hired vehicle, accompanied by his elder brother and sister-in-law. It was also reported that he faces difficulty in speaking.
Expressing concern, Tirtha’s brother, Sushen Rai, said the process would have been more convenient if officials had conducted the verification by visiting their home, given his brother’s physical condition. The incident has once again raised questions about the Election Commission’s approach towards specially-abled voters.
