Chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar (ANI) NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday wrote to the West Bengal DGP and Kolkata police commissioner directing them to protect the booth level officers (BLOs) engaged in special intensive revision in the state, “from unruly political party workers” who may be pressurising and threatening them to add or delete certain electors from the roll.The communication followed EC’s meeting with a Trinamool Congress delegation here, during which chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar emphasised that the “pressure” faced by BLOs was not account of demands of SIR-related work, but due to the undue influence and threats they face each day at the hands of party workers, particularly from All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) not to recommend the deletion of dead, shifted and duplicate voters from the roll. EC also asked the Kolkata CP to shift the office of the state chief electoral officer (CEO) to a more secure location in view of the recent security breach, while ensuring security of the existing office.In a point-by-point rebuttal of the “baseless allegations” and “unfounded apprehensions” expressed by the AITC delegation, the CEC explained how SIR process cannot be the plausible reason for pressure faced by BLOs, since they are simply required to distribute and collect the enumeration forms (EFs), unlike SIR in Bihar where documents too were collected. Even if the electors cannot be mapped by the BLOs, they can simply have EF signed by the elector and collect it. Such electors will get a notice after the draft roll is published and can prove their eligibility by submitting documents. CEC underlined that as per Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens can vote and not foreigners. Concerned for BLOs who are torn between doing their duty and facing constant threats from local party workers, EC on Friday told the Bengal DGP and Kolkata CP to deploy state armed police personnel for their protection. If need be, the EC will consider utilising Central forces too. EC on Friday also objected to non-disbursal of the enhanced honorarium to BLOs by the Bengal govt and directed it to do so without delay. Kumar on Friday bluntly told the AITC delegation to ensure that their party workers refrain from interfering with the independent functioning of all poll-related officers including BLOs. The party was told that it will get ample opportunity to seek additions or deletions, first during the claims and objections period after the draft roll is published and then at the appeal stage following publication of the final roll.Ignoring AITC’s reservations, EC on Friday also directed all district election officers (DEOs) to set up polling stations in slums, high-rises and gated residential colonies, as is being done in other states/UTs as per its instructions. Failure to comply may invite strict action, said a source.Reminding the AITC delegation that preparation of electoral roll and conduct of elections is as per the Constitution and electoral laws, EC asked the party to abide by the same. The CEC said that while political rhetoric may be their prerogative, AITC members should refrain from spreading misinformation relating to election procedures.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPak Slams Rajnath’s Sindh Remark But Ignores Its Leader Claiming Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana As OwnIndiGo And Air India Warn Of Delays As Airbus Solar Radiation Snag Hits 350 A320 Jets In IndiaPakistan Faces Global Scrutiny as UN Flags Grave Risks to Rule of Law, Judicial Freedom, GovernanceCyclone Ditwah Approaches India: Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh Brace For Impact’Op Sindoor Was Just A Glimpse Of Future Theatre Commands’: Air Marshal Ashutosh DixitPM Modi Unveils World’s Tallest Bronze Statue Of Lord Ram In South GoaIndia Says US Trade Deal Is ‘Only Matter Of Time’ As Tariffs Reshape Bilateral Trade NegotiationsPM Modi Joins Over 1 Lakh Devotees In Mass Bhagwat Gita Recitation At Udupi EventIndia’s Updated Quake Map Warns Entire Himalayan Arc Faces Major Risk, Forcing Urgent Safety Reforms’They Are Ours, We’ll Prove It’: Pakistani Leader’s Absurd Claim On ‘Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan’123PhotostoriesHow Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge rewrote the way India falls in loveHow Universe Communicate With You According To Your Birth Date7 everyday Indian foods that help improve your child’s memoryExpert-approved 3 best drinks and their right quantity to reverse fatty liver naturallyWeekly Cosmic Messages From November 29 To December 5, 2025 According To Your Birth DateBrainless but brilliant: 5 animals that survive without a brainJustin Bieber as a doting dad: Times the Grammy winner won our hearts with his love for Jack Blues BieberBengali film stories that shaped generations and still move hearts today10 emotional skills you must teach your childNur Jahan’s Taj Mahal toMaharani Sita Devi’s Star of South Diamond Necklace:5 lesser-known precious royal Indian jewellery pieces123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingGiannis AntetokounmpoBo BichetteWWE Smackdown HighlightsDonald TrumpPerez HiltonCyclone DitwahDana WhiteAyesha CurryFuzzy ZoellerJammie Booker
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday wrote to the West Bengal DGP and Kolkata police commissioner directing them to protect the booth level officers (BLOs) engaged in special intensive revision in the state, “from unruly political party workers” who may be pressurising and threatening them to add or delete certain electors from the roll.The communication followed EC’s meeting with a Trinamool Congress delegation here, during which chief election commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar emphasised that the “pressure” faced by BLOs was not account of demands of SIR-related work, but due to the undue influence and threats they face each day at the hands of party workers, particularly from All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) not to recommend the deletion of dead, shifted and duplicate voters from the roll. EC also asked the Kolkata CP to shift the office of the state chief electoral officer (CEO) to a more secure location in view of the recent security breach, while ensuring security of the existing office.In a point-by-point rebuttal of the “baseless allegations” and “unfounded apprehensions” expressed by the AITC delegation, the CEC explained how SIR process cannot be the plausible reason for pressure faced by BLOs, since they are simply required to distribute and collect the enumeration forms (EFs), unlike SIR in Bihar where documents too were collected. Even if the electors cannot be mapped by the BLOs, they can simply have EF signed by the elector and collect it. Such electors will get a notice after the draft roll is published and can prove their eligibility by submitting documents. CEC underlined that as per Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens can vote and not foreigners. Concerned for BLOs who are torn between doing their duty and facing constant threats from local party workers, EC on Friday told the Bengal DGP and Kolkata CP to deploy state armed police personnel for their protection. If need be, the EC will consider utilising Central forces too. EC on Friday also objected to non-disbursal of the enhanced honorarium to BLOs by the Bengal govt and directed it to do so without delay. Kumar on Friday bluntly told the AITC delegation to ensure that their party workers refrain from interfering with the independent functioning of all poll-related officers including BLOs. The party was told that it will get ample opportunity to seek additions or deletions, first during the claims and objections period after the draft roll is published and then at the appeal stage following publication of the final roll.Ignoring AITC’s reservations, EC on Friday also directed all district election officers (DEOs) to set up polling stations in slums, high-rises and gated residential colonies, as is being done in other states/UTs as per its instructions. Failure to comply may invite strict action, said a source.Reminding the AITC delegation that preparation of electoral roll and conduct of elections is as per the Constitution and electoral laws, EC asked the party to abide by the same. The CEC said that while political rhetoric may be their prerogative, AITC members should refrain from spreading misinformation relating to election procedures.
