Kolkata, Nov 16, 2025: As West Bengal begins its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, sex workers in Kolkata’s Sonagachi area have stepped forward to demand their inclusion in the voter list. The call comes from the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (DMSC), a non-governmental organization that works for the welfare and rights of sex workers. Many sex workers in Sonagachi face the challenge of being left out due to lack of documentation, with some having no connection to their families or native homes.

Bishakha Laskar, Secretary of the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Samiti, Sonagachi, highlighted the urgency of the issue in a written appeal to the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal. The committee has requested the Election Commission to conduct special verification camps in Sonagachi and organize on-site registration drives. These drives would allow sex workers to self-declare their residence, with verification provided by NGO representatives or peers, ensuring that every eligible voter is registered.

Speaking to ANI, Laskar explained the practical difficulties faced by sex workers during the SIR process. “Sex workers are facing problems with the Special Intensive Revision because not everyone has their documents. Many of them left their homes years ago and have no connection with their families,” she said. She added that official voter ID cards were only issued to sex workers in 2002, allowing them to start exercising their voting rights. Naturally, their names are absent from voter lists compiled before that year.

Over the past two decades, many sex workers have obtained various official documents, including Aadhaar Cards, PAN Cards, Ration Cards, passports, and utility bills. Laskar stressed that these should suffice for the purpose of voter registration during the ongoing SIR. “Now some people have documents like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Ration Card, Passport, electricity bill, etc. We urge the government to add their names in the SIR on the basis of these documents. It will benefit the community,” she said.

The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee has submitted a written request for the enrollment of approximately 12,000 sex workers at the Sonagachi brothel. Of these, around 8,000 reside in the area permanently, while the remaining 4,000 travel regularly for work. The committee emphasized that ensuring voter registration for this marginalized community is critical to protecting their democratic rights. Laskar said, “These sex workers are facing a lot of issues, that’s why we have sent the letter to the Election Commissioner. We are waiting for a response.”

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has assured that special measures are being taken to ensure that all eligible citizens, including those facing difficulties with documentation, are included in the voter rolls. As part of Phase II of the nationwide SIR process, over 95% of Enumeration Forms have already been distributed across 12 states and Union Territories. According to the ECI’s daily bulletin, 48,67,37,064 SIR forms have been delivered out of 50,97,43,173 printed forms, covering regions such as Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have been extensively deployed to ensure coverage. Over 5.33 lakh BLOs and 10.41 lakh BLAs are participating in the SIR process. Among the states, Tamil Nadu, with 6.41 crore electors, has distributed 5.90 crore forms, achieving 92.04% coverage. Uttar Pradesh, the state with the largest electorate of 15.44 crore, has attained 94.37% distribution. Smaller regions such as Goa and Lakshadweep have achieved 100% coverage, while West Bengal’s distribution stands at 98.08%. Kerala, with 87.54% coverage, remains the only state below the 90% mark.

The nationwide SIR Phase II is being conducted from November 4 to December 4, following the printing and training phase from October 28 to November 3. The final updated electoral roll is scheduled to be published on February 7, 2026. The Election Commission has emphasized that the SIR process aims to provide an opportunity for eligible citizens to verify, update, and enroll their names in the voter list, leaving no citizen unaccounted for.

In Sonagachi, where many sex workers face social and economic marginalization, the inclusion in the voter list is not merely a procedural matter; it represents recognition of their citizenship rights and their ability to participate in the democratic process. The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee has played a pivotal role in advocating for these rights over the years, ensuring that the community is not excluded due to bureaucratic hurdles or lack of documentation.

By proposing on-site verification and self-declaration mechanisms, the committee seeks to bridge the gap between policy and practical realities for sex workers. This initiative also aligns with the broader objectives of the Election Commission, which seeks to ensure comprehensive voter coverage and facilitate participation for all eligible citizens, including marginalized groups who often fall through the cracks.

The push for inclusion in the voter list is also symbolic, highlighting the need to address social stigma and integrate marginalized communities into mainstream democratic processes. For sex workers in Sonagachi, registering as voters represents both an assertion of identity and a step toward greater social recognition.

As the SIR process progresses in West Bengal and other states, authorities are under increasing pressure to accommodate the diverse realities of citizens who may lack conventional proof of residence or familial connections. The case of Sonagachi underscores the importance of flexible, inclusive measures that allow all eligible voters to exercise their constitutional rights without discrimination.

With the final electoral roll set to be published in February 2026, the efforts of advocacy groups like the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee may ensure that thousands of sex workers in Kolkata are able to vote in future elections, reinforcing their status as active participants in the democratic process. The SIR process thus becomes not only a technical exercise in updating voter lists but also a critical opportunity to address long-standing social and administrative inequities.