Kolkata, Nov 28 — Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has called on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take a stronger and more proactive role in safeguarding booth-level officers (BLOs) involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. According to Adhikari, BLOs in various parts of the state are facing undue political coercion from the ruling Trinamool Congress as well as administrative pressure from state authorities.
Adhikari alleged that the ruling party is attempting to influence the electoral roll revision process to suit its interests. “I personally feel that the ECI is not doing what it should have done in protecting the BLOs from this undue political and administrative pressure. The manner in which the state administration is putting pressure on electoral officers to act according to its whims should be addressed more proactively by the ECI,” he said. He further urged the Commission to deploy special and independent observers to ensure impartiality in the revision exercise.
His remarks came even as the ECI earlier in the day issued formal instructions to West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma. The Commission directed them to ensure that BLOs are neither threatened nor influenced by political workers, and that they are allowed to carry out their duties without fear.
The BJP has intensified its criticism of the state government over alleged interference in the SIR process. BJP MLA and former fashion designer Agnimitra Paul also questioned the capability of the state police to ensure neutrality, alleging that law enforcement authorities act like “Trinamool cadres” rather than impartial protectors of democratic processes.
Paul went on to claim that the ruling Trinamool Congress is resisting the ongoing revision exercise due to concerns about its vote bank. She alleged that the party relies heavily on illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators, and is therefore attempting to obstruct the SIR by spreading misinformation. According to her, the ruling establishment has been projecting natural deaths and unrelated incidents as SIR-linked tragedies to create public fear and confusion.
The allegations have added a political edge to the SIR process, which is a crucial part of maintaining accurate and updated electoral rolls ahead of future elections. With both the BJP and the ECI raising concerns over BLO safety and neutrality, the issue is expected to remain at the forefront of Bengal’s political debates in the weeks ahead.
