Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal have sought immediate security measures during the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, citing frequent threats and pressure from political groups. The drive, which began across the state on Monday, aims to verify and update voter lists ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
According to a report, several BLOs have expressed fear of political intimidation, claiming that workers affiliated with rival factions are attempting to influence or obstruct the voter verification process. In response, a delegation of officers has submitted a deputation to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, requesting the deployment of paramilitary forces in sensitive districts and increased protection for women staff members.
Swapan Mandal, General Secretary of the Votekormi and BLO Aikya Mancha, said the officers working at the grassroots level are facing severe pressure.
“Our top priority is the safety of BLOs who are working tirelessly to ensure a flawless voter list. There is immense pressure from many political factions to halt the process. We are especially worried about our female BLOs, who are being threatened and harassed,” Mandal told reporters.
The deputation detailed several incidents of intimidation and harassment from various districts, alleging that local political operatives are trying to influence the voter verification process and prevent BLOs from carrying out their duties independently.
The Election Commission has acknowledged the vital role of Booth Level Officers in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the electoral roll. In a recent statement, the Commission assured that comprehensive protection measures would be put in place throughout the SIR exercise.
Earlier, the CEO’s office had issued notices to nearly 1,000 officers who had declined to participate in the process, primarily citing safety concerns. The Commission has now promised that all such officers will receive security assistance, including deployment of women security personnel in districts with higher female BLO participation.
The voter roll revision has already become a politically charged issue in the state. BJP leaders have insisted that the Assembly elections cannot be conducted fairly unless the SIR is carried out effectively and transparently. On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has warned of large-scale protests if legitimate voters are removed from the lists, accusing the Election Commission of bias.
West Bengal currently has 80,681 Booth Level Officers, who will be engaged in the SIR process beginning with training on October 28, followed by house-to-house enumeration from November 4 to December 4. The draft voter list is expected to be released on December 9, while the final rolls are scheduled for publication on February 7, 2026.
The Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision is seen as a critical step ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls, intended to clean up voter rolls, remove duplicates, and include first-time voters. However, the ongoing safety concerns of BLOs shows the challenges of conducting free, fair, and intimidation-free elections in politically sensitive regions of West Bengal.
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