March 29, 2026

Image: IANS NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to immediately release the enhanced honorarium for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to intimidate election staff.”The state government of WB should immediately release the enhanced honorarium as approved by ECI to each BLO. The TMC delegation was informed that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities and slums to facilitate the voters,” the ECI said through a statement. The Commission also informed a TMC delegation that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities, and slums to ensure voter access, stressing that intimidation of BLOs, EROs, AEROs, or observers will not be tolerated.The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state has sparked a conflict between the TMC-led state government and the Centre.Accusing the BJP of “bulldozing” the SIR process, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has claimed that more than 50 lives have been lost “to panic, anxiety, exhaustion and fear engineered by a voter-cleansing operation designed for BJP’s electoral gain.”Meanwhile, the West Bengal CEO’s office on Monday issued instructions to district election authorities on managing cases of voters marked as “unmapped” in the BLO app, a result of data conversion errors linked to the 2002 electoral rolls, while reaffirming safeguards for elderly and vulnerable voters.The move was welcomed by Abhishek Banerjee, who noted that the party had previously raised the issue with poll authorities.According to a communication from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer to all district election officers and district magistrates, electors aged 85 and above, as well as those who are sick or have disabilities, may opt out of personal hearings through a request made by them or on their behalf. Even if hearing notices have already been issued, such voters can be contacted by phone and advised not to attend, with verification to be conducted at their residences. A ten-member TMC delegation, led by National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee also met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Monday.During the enumeration period of West Bengal’s SIR exercise, over 58.2 lakh names were reportedly deleted. The Election Commission of India had published the draft voter list for the state on December 16, with the claims and objections window open until January 15, 2026. The final electoral roll is scheduled for release on February 14, 2026.On December 29, a five-member TMC delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, demanding that the list of voters under the “Logical Discrepancy” category be made public and that the methodology and legal basis for this category be disclosed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTop Moments Of 2025 When Indian Diplomats Took On Pakistan, Tore Apart Lies & Hypocrisy At UNThrowback 2025: Five Big Moments When India Defied Pressure And Delivered Diplomatic MasterstrokesAyodhya Faced Conspiracies But Sanatan Prevailed, UP CM Yogi Adityanath Says At Ram Temple EventIndia’s Backyard In Flux: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolt To Pakistan’s Court Chaos Shakes South Asia In 2025Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&K In Automatic Rifles, Self-Defence | WatchLeT Deputy Saifullah Kasuri Admits India Hit Terror Camps, Threatens Kashmir After Op Sindoor StrikeTwist in Osman Hadi Murder Case: Prime Accused Blames Jamaat From Dubai, Clears India’s Role‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s EvePM Modi Says 2025 Marked by India’s Commitment to ReformsHasina Extradition Demand May Redefine India Bangladesh Ties Journalist Flags Tarique Rahman’s Plans123Photostories8 traditional Bengali snacks that are best enjoyed during winterCustard apple: 5 benefits of this creamy seasonal fruit5 common foods that are unhealthy and their alternative usesMalala Yousafzai once said, “If we want to achieve our goal, then let us…”: 5 lessons it teaches studentsHrithik Roshan’s girlfriend Saba Azad’s luxe choga suit is the traditional trend to watch this seasonPune’s Next Game-Changer: University Road Flyover Rises To Untangle One Of The City’s Worst Traffic Knots10 weird new year rituals you won’t believe existHow to make street-style Egg Chowmein for New Year eve partyChennai’s Underground Push: TBM Melagiri Punches Through Beneath Perambur’s Railway MazeThe science of longevity: Building a longer and healthier life one habit at a time123Hot PicksSaudi Strike YemenPAN-Aadhaar link statusBank holiday New YearGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJustin Thomas Net WorthLebron JamesCardi BAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsCaitlin ClarkMatthew Stafford vs Drake MVPWest Bengal SIR DeathJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthWorld Fourth Largest Economy

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins
Image: IANS NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to immediately release the enhanced honorarium for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to intimidate election staff.”The state government of WB should immediately release the enhanced honorarium as approved by ECI to each BLO. The TMC delegation was informed that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities and slums to facilitate the voters,” the ECI said through a statement. The Commission also informed a TMC delegation that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities, and slums to ensure voter access, stressing that intimidation of BLOs, EROs, AEROs, or observers will not be tolerated.The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state has sparked a conflict between the TMC-led state government and the Centre.Accusing the BJP of “bulldozing” the SIR process, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has claimed that more than 50 lives have been lost “to panic, anxiety, exhaustion and fear engineered by a voter-cleansing operation designed for BJP’s electoral gain.”Meanwhile, the West Bengal CEO’s office on Monday issued instructions to district election authorities on managing cases of voters marked as “unmapped” in the BLO app, a result of data conversion errors linked to the 2002 electoral rolls, while reaffirming safeguards for elderly and vulnerable voters.The move was welcomed by Abhishek Banerjee, who noted that the party had previously raised the issue with poll authorities.According to a communication from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer to all district election officers and district magistrates, electors aged 85 and above, as well as those who are sick or have disabilities, may opt out of personal hearings through a request made by them or on their behalf. Even if hearing notices have already been issued, such voters can be contacted by phone and advised not to attend, with verification to be conducted at their residences. A ten-member TMC delegation, led by National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee also met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Monday.During the enumeration period of West Bengal’s SIR exercise, over 58.2 lakh names were reportedly deleted. The Election Commission of India had published the draft voter list for the state on December 16, with the claims and objections window open until January 15, 2026. The final electoral roll is scheduled for release on February 14, 2026.On December 29, a five-member TMC delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, demanding that the list of voters under the “Logical Discrepancy” category be made public and that the methodology and legal basis for this category be disclosed.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosTop Moments Of 2025 When Indian Diplomats Took On Pakistan, Tore Apart Lies & Hypocrisy At UNThrowback 2025: Five Big Moments When India Defied Pressure And Delivered Diplomatic MasterstrokesAyodhya Faced Conspiracies But Sanatan Prevailed, UP CM Yogi Adityanath Says At Ram Temple EventIndia’s Backyard In Flux: Nepal’s Gen Z Revolt To Pakistan’s Court Chaos Shakes South Asia In 2025Army Trains Village Defence Guards In J&K In Automatic Rifles, Self-Defence | WatchLeT Deputy Saifullah Kasuri Admits India Hit Terror Camps, Threatens Kashmir After Op Sindoor StrikeTwist in Osman Hadi Murder Case: Prime Accused Blames Jamaat From Dubai, Clears India’s Role‘Remove 10-Minute Delivery Option’: Gig Workers Launch Nationwide Strike On New Year’s EvePM Modi Says 2025 Marked by India’s Commitment to ReformsHasina Extradition Demand May Redefine India Bangladesh Ties Journalist Flags Tarique Rahman’s Plans123Photostories8 traditional Bengali snacks that are best enjoyed during winterCustard apple: 5 benefits of this creamy seasonal fruit5 common foods that are unhealthy and their alternative usesMalala Yousafzai once said, “If we want to achieve our goal, then let us…”: 5 lessons it teaches studentsHrithik Roshan’s girlfriend Saba Azad’s luxe choga suit is the traditional trend to watch this seasonPune’s Next Game-Changer: University Road Flyover Rises To Untangle One Of The City’s Worst Traffic Knots10 weird new year rituals you won’t believe existHow to make street-style Egg Chowmein for New Year eve partyChennai’s Underground Push: TBM Melagiri Punches Through Beneath Perambur’s Railway MazeThe science of longevity: Building a longer and healthier life one habit at a time123Hot PicksSaudi Strike YemenPAN-Aadhaar link statusBank holiday New YearGold rate todayIncome Tax RefundBahrain Golden Visa 2025Bank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJustin Thomas Net WorthLebron JamesCardi BAlex Rodriguez and Jaclyn Cordeiro Net WorthStefon DiggsCaitlin ClarkMatthew Stafford vs Drake MVPWest Bengal SIR DeathJake Paul and Jutta Leerdam Net WorthWorld Fourth Largest Economy


Bengal SIR: EC orders Mamata govt to clear pending BLO honorarium immediately; warns against intimidation of election staff

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed the West Bengal government to immediately release the enhanced honorarium for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to intimidate election staff.“The state government of WB should immediately release the enhanced honorarium as approved by ECI to each BLO. The TMC delegation was informed that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities and slums to facilitate the voters,” the ECI said through a statement. The Commission also informed a TMC delegation that polling stations will be set up in high-rise buildings, gated communities, and slums to ensure voter access, stressing that intimidation of BLOs, EROs, AEROs, or observers will not be tolerated.The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state has sparked a conflict between the TMC-led state government and the Centre.Accusing the BJP of “bulldozing” the SIR process, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has claimed that more than 50 lives have been lost “to panic, anxiety, exhaustion and fear engineered by a voter-cleansing operation designed for BJP’s electoral gain.”Meanwhile, the West Bengal CEO’s office on Monday issued instructions to district election authorities on managing cases of voters marked as “unmapped” in the BLO app, a result of data conversion errors linked to the 2002 electoral rolls, while reaffirming safeguards for elderly and vulnerable voters.The move was welcomed by Abhishek Banerjee, who noted that the party had previously raised the issue with poll authorities.According to a communication from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer to all district election officers and district magistrates, electors aged 85 and above, as well as those who are sick or have disabilities, may opt out of personal hearings through a request made by them or on their behalf. Even if hearing notices have already been issued, such voters can be contacted by phone and advised not to attend, with verification to be conducted at their residences. A ten-member TMC delegation, led by National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee also met Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Monday.During the enumeration period of West Bengal’s SIR exercise, over 58.2 lakh names were reportedly deleted. The Election Commission of India had published the draft voter list for the state on December 16, with the claims and objections window open until January 15, 2026. The final electoral roll is scheduled for release on February 14, 2026.On December 29, a five-member TMC delegation submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, demanding that the list of voters under the “Logical Discrepancy” category be made public and that the methodology and legal basis for this category be disclosed.



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