Tightening the supervision of the ongoing voter roll revision process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed District Election Officers (DEOs) across West Bengal to take strict disciplinary action against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) found violating the prescribed norms for distributing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) forms.
According to reports, the commission’s latest instructions mandate that BLOs must strictly conduct door-to-door distribution of SIR forms, as required under election guidelines. Those found handing out forms from public places, local shops, or random collection centres will face immediate consequences.
“BLOs will first receive verbal warnings over the phone to adhere to the protocol. If they continue to violate the norms, formal show-cause notices will follow,” a report by News18 quoted.
The Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) have also been empowered to issue show-cause notices to any BLOs who disregard these directions. Despite earlier reminders, reports indicate that several BLOs have continued distributing forms from unauthorised locations, prompting the commission’s firm intervention.
Reports revealed that disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against officers who repeatedly defy the guidelines. The EC has further communicated these instructions to district administrations across the state, stressing the importance of strict compliance to maintain the integrity of the electoral revision process.
The crackdown follows mounting complaints from opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which alleged that some BLOs were asking voters to collect forms themselves instead of delivering them at their doorsteps.
Officials clarified that such practices defeat the very purpose of the Special Intensive Revision exercise, which is designed to ensure that every eligible voter’s data is verified directly at their residence.
A few BLOs have reportedly already been served with show-cause notices, signalling that the commission’s patience with procedural lapses is wearing thin.
The SIR process, currently underway across West Bengal, is a key step in updating and verifying voter rolls ahead of upcoming elections. With the deployment of thousands of BLOs across the state, the EC’s latest order aims to ensure transparency, accountability, and voter convenience in the revision exercise.
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