No party agents allowed at SIR hearing centres, EC warns after Hooghly disruption

The Election Commission has made it clear that booth-level agents of political parties will not be allowed to enter Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing centres under any circumstances. Following the disruption of the hearing process in Hooghly, the Commission has alerted the District Magistrate and directed strict enforcement of the order.

The Commission stated that if any party agent is found inside a hearing centre, action will be taken against the concerned official. Emphasising that the hearing process cannot be halted again, as it was in Hooghly, the Commission has instructed the district administration to ensure uninterrupted proceedings.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has reportedly issued warnings and exerted pressure to prevent agents from entering hearing centres. On Sunday, the party’s All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee held a virtual meeting with party leaders and workers, where he conveyed instructions regarding the presence of agents, stating that the directive came from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The following day, Hooghly MLA Asit Majumdar became active and reportedly reached the Chunchura-Magra Block Office, where the SIR hearing was stopped. The incident has heightened tension and prompted the Commission to adopt a stricter stance to avoid further disruptions.