SIR form submitted — will you be called for a hearing in West Bengal? Here’s what you need to know

Notices, hearings and verification are typically conducted after publication of the draft rolls and during the Claims and Objections period. The hearing will be conducted by the ERO or AERO of your Assembly constituency. After the hearing, they will decide on inclusion or exclusion from the final electoral roll.

Why you might be summoned for a hearing, and what to do
If the ERO or Assistant ERO finds an objection or discrepancy in your application, they may require a hearing to resolve it. The most common reason is when your name or your parent’s/grandparent’s name  cannot be matched or linked with the last intensive revision conducted in the 2002 electoral roll.

If the system cannot link your current details to the 2002 roll, the ERO/AERO will issue a formal notice asking you to appear for a hearing and verification, and to produce supporting documents.

Hearings also apply to other claims and objections, including these applications:

Form 6: Inclusion of name (new voters)

Form 7: Objection to inclusion (deletion)

Form 8: Correction of entries or shifting of residence

Read the notice for the hearing carefully for the date, time and venue — usually the ERO/AERO office — and the specific documents you must bring.

What to bring to the hearing
If you receive a notice, you must bring documents that support your claim as an eligible voter and Indian citizen. For cases where your name could not be matched with the 2002 roll, you must produce citizenship credentials from the list of “Indicative Documents” specified by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

You should carry originals and photocopies of relevant documents. Depending on what the notice asks for, these may include, but are not limited to:

• Any identity card or Pension Payment Order issued to a regular employee or pensioner of any Central/State government or PSU.
• Any identity card, certificate, or document issued in India by the Government, local authorities, banks, post offices, LIC, or PSUs prior to July 1, 1987.
• Birth certificate issued by the competent authority.
• Passport.
• Matriculation or educational certificate issued by recognised boards or universities.
• Permanent residence certificate issued by the competent State authority.
• Forest Rights Certificate.
• OBC/SC/ST or any caste certificate issued by the competent authority.
• National Register of Citizens (wherever it exists).
• Family register prepared by State or local authorities.
• Any land or house allotment certificate issued by the Government.
• For Aadhaar, the Commission’s directions issued vide letter No. 23/2025-ERS/Vol. II dated September 3, 2025 shall apply.
• Extract of the electoral roll as on July 1, 2025.