EC Writes to West Bengal Govt, Seeks Safety Measures for BLOs Amid Threats During Voter List Revision

Digital Desk

With only six days left for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states, the Election Commission (EC) has written to West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, urging immediate steps to protect Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and field staff following reports of intimidation and threats.

This is the second letter in three days from the EC to the Mamata Banerjee government over alleged security lapses involving election officials. Earlier, the Commission flagged a “serious security breach” at the CEO’s office in a letter to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma.

Currently, West Bengal has over 80,000 BLOs deployed across nearly the same number of polling stations to distribute, collect, and digitise voter enumeration forms.

Key Highlights from the EC’s Letter

The EC cited reports that BLOs and field officials are facing threats to their safety, disrupting their legally mandated duties.
State police have been asked to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of officials on the ground.
The state administration has been instructed to create a working environment free from intimidation and undue influence and prevent any untoward incident.

TMC Steps Up Protest; Derek O’Brien Slams EC

A team of 10 Trinamool Congress MPs met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday, objecting to the SIR process in Bengal and other states.

TMC MP Derek O’Brien alleged that 40 people had died due to the SIR exercise and claimed that the EC had “blood on its hands.”

Supreme Court Begins Hearing on SIR

The SIR process is also being challenged in the Supreme Court by Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala.

A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi has asked the Centre and EC to respond to Kerala’s petition by December 1.
Key upcoming hearing dates:

December 2: Next hearing on Kerala’s plea
December 4: Tamil Nadu’s plea
December 9: Bengal’s plea — same day the EC releases Bengal’s draft rolls

The Court noted that the lack of precedent is not a valid reason to challenge the EC’s decision but hinted that the deadlines may be extended if states offer strong justification.

SIR Progress Across 12 States

The second phase of the SIR exercise is underway in:
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

According to the EC: