Kolkata High-Rise Dwellers Decry EC's Outsider Ban as Unworkable and Divisive
The Election Commission's recent directive prohibiting outsiders from entering residential complexes that host polling stations has sparked widespread criticism among Kolkata's high-rise residents. Many argue the rule is illogical, impractical, and threatens to tear families apart during the election period.
Residents Voice Concerns Over Family Separation and Domestic Help
According to the EC order, anyone not registered to vote in the specific constituency where a polling booth is located will be barred from the premises from 6 pm on April 27 until polling concludes. This has left thousands in gated communities in a state of confusion and distress. Residents point out that numerous families have members with voter cards registered at different addresses, such as ancestral homes in places like East Burdwan or north Kolkata, while they currently reside in Kolkata complexes.
One resident from a high-rise with an on-site polling booth expressed frustration, stating, "My wife's voter address is still linked to her parents' house in north Kolkata. Will she be forced to leave our flat? We also have a bedridden mother with a full-time caregiver from Garia. Are they considered outsiders? We urgently need clarity from the EC."
The rule also impacts domestic helps, ayahs, and tenants, who are classified as outsiders under the EC's definition, raising alarms about daily household operations and caregiving responsibilities.
Specific Complexes Highlight Widespread Confusion
In complexes like Genexx Valley on Diamond Harbour Road, which houses around 6,000 residents across 1,875 flats, only 750 will vote on the premises. Another 350 residents must vote elsewhere, but all face restrictions under the new rule. Sourav Datta, an oncosurgeon living there, questioned, "My wife votes outside the complex, and I'm registered in Raina, East Burdwan. Do I have to vacate? My mother visits occasionally, and my brother's family is here from Mumbai. Where should they go? This seems like a joke."
At Silver Spring, with nearly 2,000 residents but only 600 registered voters, the situation is similarly chaotic. Ashok Baid reported, "Local police have no clear instructions from the EC about non-voters staying, leaving us in limbo." The rest of the population includes children, tenants, and visiting relatives, all potentially affected.
Broader Implications Across Kolkata's Housing Societies
In New Town, three large housing complexes are set to host polling booths, with 800 to 1,200 voters each and a significant tenant population. Mainak Kanrar, an executive member of the Sukhobristi New Town cultural society, emphasized, "What happens to tenants? Will they be evicted? We need immediate clarification from the EC to avoid disruption."
Rosedale housing complex association president Manoj Sharma echoed these sentiments, asking, "Why should guests or residents voting elsewhere be barred? This lacks logic and unfairly penalizes families for election purposes."
A resident from Uniworld City added, "The rule is absurd. What if a relative is here for medical treatment? Forcing them to leave is heartless and unreasonable."
Official Stance and Public Reaction
The restriction, announced by Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal, aims to maintain order during elections but has been met with skepticism. Residents argue it fails to account for modern urban living dynamics, where families often have mixed voter registrations and rely on external support. Calls for the EC to provide detailed guidelines and exemptions have grown louder, with many labeling the order as out of touch with reality.
As the election date approaches, Kolkata's high-rise communities remain anxious, hoping for a revision or clearer communication to prevent unnecessary hardships and preserve family unity during this critical democratic process.
