Allegations have surfaced in West Bengal’s South Dinajpur district that stress linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll may have contributed to the death of a woman voter, even as reports of illness and distress emerged from several SIR hearing centres.
Farida Bibi (50), a resident of Chakarpai village under Hili Police Station, reportedly fell ill shortly after returning from an SIR hearing centre on Wednesday evening. Family members said she complained of uneasiness while returning home, vomited twice, and collapsed soon after. She was declared dead shortly thereafter.
Family alleges fear over voting rights
Farida’s husband, Abdul Latif Mondal, alleged that she had been under severe mental stress due to fears surrounding the SIR process. He claimed his wife was anxious that her voting rights could be revoked and that she might be sent to a detention camp, blaming what he described as an atmosphere of fear.
Following the incident, Arpita Ghosh, senior vice-president of the West Bengal Mahila Trinamool Congress, visited the family and expressed condolences. In a statement, she demanded accountability, alleging that political pressure and institutional silence had created fear among voters.
Multiple illness cases reported at hearing centres
Concerns intensified after reports of health emergencies at SIR hearing centres across the district. At the Satyajit Mancha hearing centre, a man identified as Dulal Pahan reportedly fell unconscious after standing in a long queue and was rushed to Balurghat District Hospital.
In another incident, an employee of the Gangarampur Block Development Office, identified as Amiya Ranjan Roy, fell ill during an SIR hearing and was later admitted to Gangarampur Super Speciality Hospital.
Local Trinamool Congress leaders blamed the Election Commission for what they described as administrative pressure affecting both citizens and officials.