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He said that in the initial phase, hearing notices are likely to be issued to about 32 lakh unmapped voters – whose details could not be linked with the 2002 SIR data, but whose names appear in the draft voter list for 2026.
“Inclusion in the draft voter list does not mean that a voter will not be called for a hearing, although the process may be comparatively simpler in his case. ERO will start issuing hearing notices from the morning of December 18,” he said on Wednesday.
Two copies of the hearing notice will be issued, he said.
“One copy will be handed over to the concerned voter, while the other copy will be retained by the booth level officer after obtaining the voter’s signature,” the official said. Voters will be given some time after receiving the notice to appear for the hearing, which is likely to begin soon.
He said the hearing would be held in government offices including that of District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and Block Development Officers.
The polling body official said matters related to logistical anomalies are also under investigation and as a result, the final number of voters who have received hearing notices is not yet clear.
“Officials are advising voters to keep ready the 11 documents specified by the Election Commission for verification,” he said.
Meanwhile, state special role observer Subrata Gupta is likely to visit North Bengal before Christmas to review the SIR work, another official said.
“The objective of the visit is to assess the progress and implementation of SIR in the region,” he said.