EC opens special voter camps in Sonagachi and two more red-light areas

Sex workers in Kolkata’s three major red-light zones finally got a lifeline today as the Election Commission opened special camps inside these areas to fix their voter list problems. Most of them either have no voter card at all or their old 2002 records do not match today’s details, putting them at high risk of losing their names in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Fearing deletion, many had simply refused to fill the new forms until help reached their doorstep. The camps was inaugurated today in three red light areas of Kolkata including Sonagachi.

CEO Manoj Agarwal visited the camp today morning to inspect the preparations. CEO assured that no one's name will be left out or strke off. The special camps were arranged after Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee and other NGOs complained to the Chief Electoral Officer’s office that women were scared to visit regular booths because of stigma and police harassment. State Minister Sashi Panja personally visited the Sonagachi camp today and spoke to several women and promised full government support, helps them to update their details safely.

Senior election officials – Additional CEO, DEO, ERO and BLOs – sat inside the narrow lanes for hours, checking documents, taking photos and helping fill Form 8 so no one loses their voting right. Long queues of women were seen waiting patiently with rent receipts, old voter slips and Aadhaar cards. Many said this was the first time officials had come inside their area instead of asking them to stand in public queues. The camps will continue for the next few days to make sure every eligible sex worker stays on the voters’ list.