Overview
- Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal met Sonagachi representatives and assured that their franchise would be protected.
- He indicated he could invoke special powers to ensure voter IDs are issued without discrimination if verification hurdles persist.
- Election officials said special hearing camps will run after the December 9 draft roll, with the Electoral Registration Officer deciding cases on the spot.
- Three welfare groups petitioned the CEO on November 21, warning that the 2002-link rule excludes many who lack parental or birth records due to trafficking or abandonment.
- Estimates put Sonagachi’s population at roughly 10,000–15,000, with claims and objections open until January 8, hearings through January 31, and final rolls due February 7, 2026.