EC to conduct special SIR camps for sex workers in Kolkata red-light areas on Dec 2-3

Kolkata: The Election Commission is expected to conduct special camps at Sonagachi, Asia’s largest red-light district, on 2 and 3 December to address the difficulties faced by sex workers during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, an official said on Saturday.

The decision comes amid growing concerns in the city’s red-light districts over challenges in completing SIR enumeration forms.

The initial phase of the SIR will continue until 4 December, with the draft voter list scheduled for publication on 9 December.

Why are special camps being held before the SIR phase ends?

"Despite this timeline, the Commission has decided to conduct the Sonagachi camps before the preliminary phase ends," the official said.

The move follows concerns raised on 21 November by three organisations working with sex workers – ‘Society of Human Development and Social Action’, ‘Usha Multipurpose Co-operative Society Limited’ and ‘Amra Padatik’ – which emailed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) highlighting widespread problems with enumeration.

What has the Chief Electoral Officer promised?

"Their concerns prompted CEO Manoj Agarwal to promise special hearing facilities in red-light districts, including Sonagachi. The CEO also indicated he might personally attend one of the camps," the official told.

Amra Padatik advocacy officer Mahasweta Mukherjee said sex workers across various city neighbourhoods were facing difficulties with filling out forms.

"The CEO instructed district election officers and electoral registration officers to deploy officials to assist sex workers in the red-light areas," he said.

Which areas will be covered?

Mukherjee visited the CEO’s office on Saturday to submit a formal letter detailing issues in Sonagachi, Sethbagan, Rambagan, Jorabagan, Khidderpore, Kalighat, and Bowbazar.

"The organisations requested a camp on December 2, citing specific assembly constituencies and part numbers," he said.

In response, the CEO’s office confirmed that officials would be sent to the listed areas on 2 and 3 December to resolve enumeration-related problems on the spot.

How are sex workers reacting?

Satabdi Saha, secretary of ‘Amra Padatik’, said many sex workers had fled the districts out of fear of filling the forms, adding that the Commission’s assurance may help restore confidence.

PTI inputs