West Bengal BLOs seek central security amid political tension ahead of voter list revision

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Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal have asked for protection from central security forces, citing “political threat” as they prepare for door-to-door voter verification under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

The voter enumeration drive is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but BLOs have warned that they may refuse to work unless adequate safety measures are ensured.

A Hindustan Times report said that during training sessions on Saturday, several BLOs raised safety concerns before officials at the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer’s (WBCEO) office.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will conduct the SIR of electoral rolls in 12 states and union territories, including West Bengal, starting November 4.

BLOs raise safety and duty concerns

Apart from security, BLOs have also demanded official recognition for their work in the form of an “on duty slip,” which would allow them to be excused from regular school or office duties while engaged in election work.

One BLO told Hindustan Times that without such a slip, they would be forced to handle both their regular job and BLO responsibilities.

Meanwhile, political tensions have escalated as both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused each other of intimidation.

The BJP’s West Bengal unit has written to the Chief Election Officer, urging that an FIR be filed against Trinamool Congress leader Girindranath Barman for allegedly threatening a BLO.

Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari also criticised the TMC over the matter.

Sharing a post on X, Adhikari said, “I am compelled to bring to your urgent attention Mr.@CEOWestBengal, a brazen act of intimidation that reeks of the despotic playbook TMC has perfected over the years. The air is thick with threats. Girindranath Barman, the TMC’s Cooch Behar district Chairman, a man who masquerades as a leader but behaves like a local Don, has publicly declared war on the very BLOs tasked with upholding the sanctity of our electoral rolls.”

The Election Commission has yet to respond publicly to the BLOs’ demands or the political complaints made by the two parties.