Kolkata Sex Workers Fight for Voting Rights: Challenges and Solutions in Electoral Inclusion

Sonagachi brothel in West Bengal houses approximately 12,000 sex workers who are currently facing potential electoral disenfranchisement.

Sex workers in Kolkata's Sonagachi district are actively petitioning the government to ensure their inclusion in voter registration as Bengal begins its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Many individuals in this community express significant concern about being excluded due to insufficient documentation, with numerous workers having severed ties with their families and original residences.

The Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee, an organization dedicated to advocating for sex workers' rights, has formally requested the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal to establish specialized verification camps within Sonagachi. Their proposal includes conducting on-site registration initiatives that would permit sex workers to self-declare their residential status with verification from NGOs or peers.

Bishakha Laskar, Secretary of the Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Samiti in Sonagachi, has made a public appeal for the government to register sex workers as voters.

In a statement to ANI, Laskar emphasized that most sex workers have lost contact with their families after leaving home years ago. "Sex workers face significant challenges with the Special Intensive Revision process because many lack proper documentation. This stems from having departed from their homes and losing all family connections... Our primary request is for sex workers to be included in voter rolls based on whatever documentation they currently possess," she explained.

Laskar noted that sex workers only received their official Voter ID Cards in 2002, which marked the beginning of their participation in the democratic process.

"Sex workers were issued official voter identification cards in 2002... Before this, they had no voter documentation... We only began exercising our democratic right to vote after 2002... Naturally, our names wouldn't appear in any voter lists prior to 2002," she clarified.

According to Laskar, many sex workers now possess various official documents such as Aadhaar Cards, PAN Cards, Ration Cards, and other forms of identification. She urges authorities to recognize these documents for voter registration purposes.

"Currently, community members hold various identification documents including Aadhaar Cards, PAN Cards, Ration Cards, Passports, utility bills, and more... We strongly encourage the government to include their names in the SIR based on these existing documents, which would significantly benefit our community," she stated.

Laskar revealed that the committee has submitted a written application on behalf of the approximately 12,000 sex workers at Sonagachi brothel, requesting that authorities register these individuals as voters based on their available documentation.

"The Sonagachi brothel accommodates a total of 12,000 sex workers, with 8,000 permanent residents and 4,000 who commute regularly for work... These individuals are experiencing numerous difficulties, prompting our letter to the Election Commissioner... We are currently awaiting their response," she added.

The Election Commission has provided assurance that special measures are being implemented to ensure the inclusion of all eligible citizens.

On Saturday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced that over 95% of Special Intensive Revision Enumeration Forms have been successfully distributed across 12 states and Union Territories in Phase II of the process.

According to the Daily Bulletin released at 3 PM, the ECI confirmed the successful delivery of 48,67,37,064 SIR forms out of 50,97,43,173 printed forms, covering Andaman and Nicobar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

The commission has deployed over 5.33 lakh Booth Level Officers and 10.41 lakh Booth Level Agents for this massive exercise. Tamil Nadu, with 6.41 crore eligible voters, has distributed 5.90 crore forms, achieving 92.04% coverage. Uttar Pradesh, which has the highest number of electors at 15.44 crore, has reached 94.37% distribution.

Smaller territories like Goa and Lakshadweep have achieved 100% form distribution. Other states show impressive coverage rates: Gujarat at 98.58%, Madhya Pradesh at 98.38%, Rajasthan at 97.32%, West Bengal at 98.08%, and Puducherry at 93.88%. Kerala remains the only state below the 90% mark, with 87.54% distribution.

The nationwide SIR phase two is currently underway in 12 states and union territories, with the final electoral list scheduled for publication on February 7, 2026. According to the Election Commission's timeline, printing and training occurred from October 28 to November 3, followed by the Enumeration Phase from November 4 to December 4.