Opposition Raises Concerns Over BLO: As West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025 of electoral rolls continues, the process—meant to ensure transparency and inclusion—has become a new flashpoint between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Opposition parties, primarily the BJP and Congress. Allegations have surfaced that several Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are responsible for voter verification at the ground level, were seen working from offices decorated with Trinamool Congress flags, raising concerns of political bias and manipulation in the voter roll revision process.
🔹 Background: SIR 2025 and the Role of BLOs
The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated the Special Intensive Revision across West Bengal to update and verify voter lists ahead of the upcoming elections. BLOs—generally schoolteachers or government employees—are tasked with conducting house-to-house verification of voters, ensuring all eligible citizens are registered while identifying any duplicates or inaccuracies.
However, several Opposition parties have alleged that BLOs in multiple districts, including Murshidabad, Nadia, Howrah, and North 24-Parganas, are functioning in spaces that display TMC flags, festoons, and posters. This, they claim, “compromises neutrality” and could potentially influence the data collection and verification process.
🔹 Allegations of Manipulation
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) submitted a formal complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, demanding an immediate inquiry. The party’s state president Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the BLOs are “working under political pressure,” which could lead to “selective inclusion and exclusion” of names from the voter rolls.
Leaders from the Congress and CPM have echoed similar sentiments. CPM state secretary Mohammad Salim said, “The voter verification process must remain apolitical. If BLOs are sitting under TMC flags, how can the people trust that their names will not be tampered with?”
🔹 TMC’s Response
The Trinamool Congress, however, dismissed the allegations as baseless. Senior leader Kunal Ghosh argued that the Opposition was “trying to discredit the SIR process” ahead of possible electoral setbacks.
“BLOs are appointed by the Election Commission, not the Trinamool Congress. If some offices have party flags nearby, it doesn’t mean manipulation,” Ghosh said.
He added that the TMC had no reason to interfere in the process since the electoral roll verification is being “monitored directly by the Election Commission.”
🔹 EC’s Position and Administrative Response
According to sources from the Election Commission, the CEO’s office has sought reports from district magistrates and block-level officers regarding the allegations. Instructions were reiterated to ensure that BLOs conduct all voter verification work in politically neutral locations such as schools, community centers, or government premises.
The EC has also reminded all political parties and citizens that Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 mandates neutrality of election officials during electoral roll-related activities.
An EC official said:
“The SIR is a technical and administrative exercise. We have instructed all BLOs to avoid any premises with political insignia. Any deviation will be reviewed and corrected.”
🔹 Ground-Level Reactions
Reports from Murshidabad and Nadia show a mixed picture. In some blocks, BLOs were seen using public libraries and schools as verification points; in others, they were spotted near local clubs or community centers decorated with TMC banners. Locals in Beldanga said they were “hesitant to visit” certain verification booths fearing “political exposure.”
A 42-year-old resident from Kandi, requesting anonymity, said,
“We just want to check our names. But when we see party symbols around, we feel uncomfortable. It should be neutral.”
🔹 Political Implications
The controversy comes at a time when the SIR process has already been politically charged, with the BJP alleging the inclusion of “infiltrators” and the TMC accusing the Opposition of trying to “delegitimize genuine voters.”
Analysts note that this fresh controversy could deepen the political divide over electoral integrity in Bengal. Dr. Biswanath Chakraborty, political scientist at Rabindra Bharati University, observed:
“The perception of fairness in the voter roll is as important as the actual fairness. Even minor irregularities—real or perceived—can become a political flashpoint in a polarized environment like Bengal.”
🔹 Historical Context: Electoral Sensitivities in Bengal
West Bengal has witnessed repeated disputes over voter rolls, dating back to the 1990s. Allegations of “ghost voters,” “ineligible names,” and “migrants’ inclusion” have often surfaced ahead of elections.
The 2019 Lok Sabha polls and 2021 Assembly elections saw both sides accusing each other of manipulating electoral rolls. The current SIR is being conducted with a January 1, 2025, qualifying date, meaning all voters who turn 18 by that date are eligible for registration.
🔹 Administrative Challenges
Apart from political accusations, administrative challenges have compounded the problem. Booth Level Officers in districts like Malda and Cooch Behar have complained about “inhuman workloads” and lack of logistical support, including delayed payment and insufficient resources.
A BLO from Malda said,
“We have to cover hundreds of households daily, verify documents, and report everything digitally. On top of that, if there’s political tension in the area, our job becomes riskier.”
🔹 Demand for EC Intervention
The Opposition has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to deploy Central Observers in politically sensitive districts and to conduct random audits of BLO activities to ensure fairness.
The BJP has further demanded that any BLO found operating under politically affiliated premises be immediately replaced.
The Congress has proposed the creation of a public monitoring cell at the district level, where citizens can report any perceived irregularities anonymously.
🔹 Civil Society Concerns
Several civic organizations, including Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Election Watch India, have expressed concerns about the erosion of voter confidence. They emphasize the need for transparency, accessibility, and non-partisan verification to strengthen democratic participation.
ADR’s Bengal coordinator said:
“The voter roll is the foundation of democracy. Any shadow of doubt over its integrity weakens the democratic process. The EC must ensure complete transparency and neutrality.”
🔹 The Road Ahead
As the SIR continues through November and December, the Election Commission has promised to review all complaints. The final electoral rolls are expected to be published by January 5, 2025.
Political parties, meanwhile, are expected to continue their war of words. For now, the controversy over “BLOs under TMC flags” adds another layer of complexity to Bengal’s already tense political landscape.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over BLOExternal Reference Links:
- Election Commission of India: https://eci.gov.in
- Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal: https://ceowestbengal.wb.gov.in
- Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Full Text): https://legislative.gov.in
- Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR): https://adrindia.org
- Voter Helpline App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eci.citizen
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