The beginning of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has resulted in migrant workers from the state having to make a sudden visit home – at the cost, in many cases, of disruption in their jobs and livelihoods, and significant unplanned expenditure, especially for large families.

During the monthlong enumeration phase of the exercise, which began on November 4, booth-level officers (BLOs), who are government employees, will visit the homes of 7.62 crore voters on the existing electoral roll.

Every voter must fill in the enumeration form. About 84 lakh enumeration forms had been distributed by the end of Wednesday, the second day of the exercise.

On Thursday afternoon, Rohija (45) and her husband were having a tense exchange outside their tin hut in the

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