In complexes and paras, citizens help citizens in SIR hour of need
Times of India | 13 November 2025
Kolkata: Residents' Welfare Associations (RWAs) across gated complexes in Kolkata have turned WhatsApp groups and society notice boards into SIR classrooms, circulating step-by-step notes, FAQs, numbers of BLOs, and short videos on filling up new enumeration forms.
In other neighbourhoods, good Samaritans unaffiliated with any political party have set up help desks to guide neighbours through the process.
At Siddha Pines in Rajarhat, the RWA has created a seven-page PDF manual with visuals and explanations. Over the weekend, the association organised camps and stationed a volunteer at the RWA office to assist anyone struggling with the paperwork. "We realised residents were making small but crucial errors," said Manav Mehra, secretary of the complex.
"We shared explainers from national media and cross-checked everything with our BLO.
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At Silver Spring on Bypass, the RWA has turned its WhatsApp groups and notice boards into election readiness dashboards. Pinned WhatsApp messages include FAQs, BLO contact numbers, and details of the complex's polling part numbers. Security cabins and elevator lobbies now feature printouts with the same information. "We've even circulated links where residents can cross-check their names on the rolls, and learn how to fill both online and offline forms," said Ashok Baid, an RWA board member.
Beyond gated communities, too, citizens have stepped up to help neighbours. In Rajabazar, a group of residents has set up a help desk at a community centre, where volunteers assist visitors with everything from finding names on old rolls to understanding the required documents. "Many come in anxious because they haven't yet received their forms. We assure them BLOs are covering all areas systematically, and we show them how to check online or help them note down what to keep ready," said Faisal Nizam, who manages the camp.
In central Kolkata's Ward 44, Aurangzeb Khan has become an informal voter guide, spending evenings helping neighbours fill out enumeration forms.
"Many are confused by the format or can't access the online portal. I explain the sections, and check their details," he said.
At Jorabagan in north Kolkata, a group of professionals has launched a WhatsApp helpline to support senior citizens and others struggling with the forms.
"We get photos of half-filled forms or questions on which documents to attach. We reply with clear guidance to prevent rejections," said volunteer Soumi Chatterjee.