CPI(M) deploys ‘red volunteers’ to assist electors with SIR in West Bengal

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has enlisted ‘red volunteers’, a collective of Left-inclined activists to assist electors participate in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of West Bengal’s voters’ lists, State Secretary Mohammed Salim told The Hindu.

Red volunteers rose to prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic and cyclone Amphan, which ravaged parts of the State in 2021.

“The CPI(M) has activated red volunteers, party workers, as well as student and youth wing volunteers to reach out to the public and assist them with their queries surrounding enumeration forms, verification documents, etc. for SIR,” Mr. Salim said.

He added that these volunteers will work in addition to the party-appointed booth level agents (BLAs) who will help booth-level officers (BLOs) conduct the door-to-door enumeration and verification process. According to sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, the CPI(M) has submitted 6,175 BLA-2 (polling station-wise appointed agents) appointment forms as of October 30.

“A fear has been instilled in the minds of the common people surrounding the SIR. There is a lot of confusion around how to map oneself to the 2002 list, how to fill the enumeration form, and what documents to provide. Red volunteers, along with our party workers and student members will meet electors, assist them, and clear some of the confusion,” the CPI(M) State Secretary said.

He added that after the draft roll is published, the volunteers will also help voters raise claims and objections, if necessary.

“This is being done across the State, with emphasis on vulnerable areas, like flood-hit zones, areas with a high degree of deprivation, poverty, migration, and Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste population, and regions where there is a lack of resources and education. In such places, the fear and confusion surrounding SIR is more,” Mr. Salim said.