The Election Commission of India (ECI) cracks down on BLOs and BLAs in West Bengal for irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision process, issuing FIRs and show-cause notices to ensure transparency and compliance in the state’s voter roll update.
In a decisive move to uphold transparency and integrity in West Bengal’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a stringent crackdown against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) over alleged irregularities and procedural violations during the enumeration process.
According to sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, and the ECI headquarters in New Delhi, First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against at least eight BLAs accused of illegally handling and distributing enumeration forms—a task strictly reserved for designated BLOs. The commission has also issued show-cause notices to eight BLOs from Cooch Behar, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas districts for allegedly flouting the ECI’s door-to-door distribution norms.
Crackdown on Enumeration Irregularities
The commission’s action follows reports that certain BLOs had adopted “shortcut methods” for distributing enumeration forms by operating from fixed locations rather than conducting door-to-door verification, as mandated. The ECI had earlier warned officials against such malpractice, emphasizing that direct voter engagement is essential to ensure accuracy and prevent manipulation in the electoral rolls.
Despite being given an ultimatum on Friday, these eight BLOs were reportedly found continuing with the same irregular distribution practices. This prompted the Commission to initiate disciplinary proceedings and direct Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) to maintain stricter surveillance on all BLO activities during the ongoing revision exercise.
Sources confirmed that the Commission has reiterated its instruction that no BLO should delegate their responsibilities to a third party, including relatives, acquaintances, or local political functionaries. Any such delegation, the ECI stated, would be treated as a serious breach of conduct and could attract suspension or criminal charges under the Representation of the People Act.
ECI Reinforces Accountability and Transparency
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal commenced on Tuesday, aiming to ensure a transparent and inclusive update of the state’s voter rolls. As per data provided by the CEO’s office, over four crore enumeration forms have been distributed across the state till 8 p.m. on Saturday.
“Going by the progress, we expect to complete the enumeration process before the end of this month,” an official source said. The total number of electors in West Bengal, as of October 27, stands at 7,66,37,529—making it one of the largest voter bases in India.
The revision is crucial, as the last Special Intensive Revision in the state was conducted more than two decades ago, in 2002. The exercise seeks to eliminate duplication, update addresses, and include eligible new voters while removing ineligible entries.
Document Requirements for Voter Validation
Under the new ECI guidelines, voters whose names—or whose parents’ names—were included in the 2002 electoral rolls need only fill up the enumeration form without submitting any additional documents to retain their voter registration.
However, voters not featured in the 2002 list are required to produce one of 11 officially recognized documents for verification. These include Aadhaar cards, passports, driving licenses, or other government-issued identification to confirm their eligibility.
The process, officials noted, aims to streamline voter verification and minimize errors or fraudulent entries in the state’s electoral records ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Ensuring a Fair Electoral Framework
The ECI’s crackdown signals a renewed emphasis on integrity and procedural compliance during electoral roll revisions—an issue that has drawn political attention in West Bengal over the years. With electoral manipulation and bogus voting long-standing concerns in the state, the Commission’s strict oversight aims to reinforce public confidence in the democratic process.
The CEO’s office also confirmed that teams of micro-observers and district-level supervisors have been deployed to monitor the ground-level implementation of the SIR process. Any deviation from ECI protocols will be met with swift punitive action, officials warned.
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As West Bengal continues the massive enumeration exercise, the Commission’s firm stance is being seen as a warning against complacency and misconduct. It reflects the ECI’s broader effort to ensure that the upcoming electoral rolls are accurate, transparent, and tamper-proof—a critical foundation for free and fair elections in the state.
