Booth-Level Officers in Malda: Just a day before the official rollout of West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls 2025, the district of Malda became the epicentre of unrest. Nearly 100 Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) gathered in front of the Old Malda Block Development Office (BDO) to protest what they described as “inhuman workload” imposed on them ahead of the massive voter verification drive.
The protest by these BLOs — many of whom are school teachers performing dual roles — reflects not only the physical and emotional strain faced by ground-level staff but also signals deeper administrative cracks in the state’s election machinery. Their outcry sheds light on the human cost of conducting one of India’s largest democratic processes.
Who Are the Booth-Level Officers in Malda and Why Their Role Matters
Booth-Level Officers form the backbone of India’s electoral system. Appointed by the Election Commission, they act as the direct link between voters and the electoral administration. Their responsibilities include distributing voter forms, conducting door-to-door surveys, verifying details, updating records, and ensuring no eligible voter is left out of the list.
In West Bengal’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR), BLOs have been tasked with visiting thousands of households to verify voter identity, address, and eligibility — a process that requires long hours, meticulous attention, and impartiality. However, many BLOs in Malda claim that these expectations have reached unmanageable levels, especially when combined with their regular teaching responsibilities.
“We Are Overworked and Ignored,” Say BLOs
During the protest, several BLOs voiced their frustration over the excessive workload.
One of them, Soma Bhagat, a primary school teacher, said:
“We have to teach during school hours and then carry out BLO duties afterward. It’s inhuman — we are forced to work 8 to 10 hours every day without rest.”
Another BLO, Partha Sanyal, highlighted the logistical nightmare faced by many officers who live far away from their assigned schools and voter areas:
“Some of us travel 50 to 90 kilometres daily to our schools. After returning home, we have to visit households for the enumeration process. It’s impossible to manage both responsibilities at once.”
The officers demanded either exemption from school duties during the revision period or special leave with administrative support. They argued that without relief, both education and voter verification would suffer.
Political Pressures Intensify Administrative Burden
Beyond the workload, BLOs in Malda also raised alarms about political interference and pressure.
A section of officers cited remarks from local political leaders suggesting that BLOs would “visit homes to remove names of voters,” a statement perceived as a direct attack on their neutrality and safety.
This has led to growing fear among the BLO community that their impartial role in the electoral process is being politicized. The Election Commission of India mandates that BLOs must remain neutral and act strictly under official supervision — any perception of bias could erode public trust in the revision process.
Such tensions are especially sensitive in Bengal, where voter list politics have often intertwined with broader issues of migration, citizenship, and religious identity.
Understanding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is part of the Election Commission’s nationwide voter list verification initiative. The exercise ensures that every eligible voter is listed, while removing duplicates, deceased persons, and invalid entries.
In West Bengal, the SIR assumes greater importance due to ongoing concerns about illegal infiltration, document authenticity, and migration patterns — all politically charged topics.
The state government and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bengal have directed all districts to ensure flawless implementation. However, the massive scale of the project — spanning over 79,000 polling booths and involving lakhs of voters — has placed immense pressure on field-level workers.
Malda: A Microcosm of Statewide Stress
Malda, located near the Bangladesh border, is a district known for its complex demographic composition and high population density. Voter verification here is particularly demanding due to overlapping rural and urban populations, internal migration, and literacy challenges.
The protesting BLOs argued that they were not provided with adequate logistical support, transport allowances, or technological tools to manage their workload efficiently. Many said they were expected to complete enumeration for hundreds of households daily, an unrealistic target given travel constraints and their dual employment as teachers.
Administrative Response: Promises but Few Solutions
District election officials acknowledged receiving complaints but maintained that the workload was “part of the process.” They assured BLOs that their grievances would be forwarded to higher authorities and that “reasonable adjustments” might be made to ease pressure.
However, the protestors remain skeptical. One BLO commented:
“We’ve heard promises before. Nothing changes. We are doing the ground-level work while others take the credit. There must be proper coordination, or this exercise will collapse.”
As of now, there has been no official announcement regarding any reduction in workload, financial compensation, or leave exemption for teacher-BLOs.
Human Cost of Bureaucratic Pressure
The Malda protest also highlights a broader issue often ignored during large-scale governance drives — the human toll of bureaucratic overwork. BLOs, despite being at the heart of voter registration, often receive meagre allowances, no health benefits, and little recognition.
Many BLOs in Malda reported that they are expected to carry out enumeration duties after sunset, which not only increases fatigue but also raises safety concerns, particularly for female officers working in rural areas.
Moreover, the lack of rest days, continuous reporting demands, and frequent political scrutiny are pushing many to the edge. As one officer put it:
“We’re treated like machines, not human beings. Every election, every revision — it’s the same story.”
Education Sector Impact
Because many BLOs are school teachers, their absence or exhaustion directly affects the education system. Teachers claim that their students’ learning hours are getting reduced because of their extra duties.
The West Bengal Primary Teachers’ Association (WBPTA) has also raised concerns, urging the administration to either relieve teachers from electoral responsibilities during active school sessions or provide alternative manpower.
Failure to balance these roles risks harming both education outcomes and electoral efficiency — two pillars of democratic governance.
Linking the Malda Protest to Statewide Electoral Concerns
This protest comes amid larger political tensions around the voter roll revision in Bengal.
While the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government is leading the state-wide SIR initiative, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has already demanded re-verification of voter documents before the process begins, alleging the use of fake certificates and forged IDs.
This political tug-of-war has created an atmosphere of suspicion, where even administrative tasks like enumeration have become politically charged. For BLOs, who are caught between bureaucratic expectations and political scrutiny, the pressure is immense.
Electoral Experts Weigh In
Political and governance experts have voiced concerns about the sustainability of current voter verification practices.
Dr. Pratap Sinha, an election governance researcher, noted:
“If the backbone of the voter verification system — the BLOs — are overburdened and demo.ralized, the entire process risks credibility. Enumeration is not just paperwork; it’s about trust between citizens and the state.”
Another expert, Prof. Nilanjan Basu, added:
“This protest exposes the underbelly of India’s democratic machinery. Without adequate compensation, rest, and protection from political interference, no electoral reform can be truly fair.”
Broader Implications for Electoral Integrity
The SIR in West Bengal is meant to ensure transparency, accuracy, and fair participation in future elections. However, if BLOs are unable to carry out their duties efficiently due to workload and political tension, the integrity of the entire process could be jeopardized.
Voters may face:
- Delays in enumeration or corrections.
- Errors in inclusion/exclusion due to fatigue or confusion.
- Distrust toward the fairness of the revision process.
Moreover, if teacher-BLOs continue to bear dual burdens, both education and election duties could see long-term inefficiencies.
The Road Ahead: Reforms and Recommendations
Experts and officers alike are calling for reforms in how BLOs are managed and supported. Key recommendations include:
- Dedicated BLO Cadre: The Election Commission should consider creating a permanent cadre of professional BLOs, independent of school or administrative staff.
- Fair Compensation: Increase allowances and provide travel reimbursements to match actual workload and distances covered.
- Training and Psychological Support: Offer regular training sessions and stress management workshops.
- Use of Digital Tools: Introduce mobile-based enumeration apps to reduce manual paperwork.
- Protection from Political Pressure: Enforce strict disciplinary action against any political interference in BLO duties.
- Coordination Between Departments: Education and election departments should work in tandem to ensure teachers are not overburdened.
Conclusion: A Warning Bell for the State
The Malda BLO protest is more than a local disturbance — it’s a warning bell for the entire state’s electoral system.
If the grievances of those who form the foundation of the electoral process remain unaddressed, the credibility of Bengal’s Special Voter Roll Revision 2025 could come under question.
This incident highlights an urgent need for the Election Commission, Chief Electoral Officer, and State Government to prioritize the welfare of booth-level officers, ensuring they have the resources, rest, and respect necessary to carry out their duties.
As West Bengal gears up for another politically charged election season, the voices from Malda remind the nation that democracy depends not just on votes cast — but on the dignity and dedication of those who make every vote possible.
External References for Context
- Election Commission of India – Electoral Roll Revision Guidelines
- Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal – Voter Services
- Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions – Workload and Civil Service Guidelines
- Ministry of Home Affairs – Election and Citizenship Framework
- National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration – Impact of Non-Teaching Duties on Teachers
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