Towards the conclusion of the hearing on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Election Commission issued strict directives against negligence, misconduct and political bias by a section of Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
The commission has ordered stern measures for incidents of deliberate non-compliance with commission directives.
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists is currently underway in 12 states and union territories, including West Bengal. The commission has informed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of these states through a letter on Saturday that District Electoral Officers (DEOs) should recommend the temporary suspension of non-compliant BLOs to the concerned authorities.
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According to Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, DEOs can also file FIRs against concerned BLOs with CEO approval.
CEOs will have the power to take action against BLOs based on reports received from DEOs or AROs. Swapan Mandal, General Secretary of the Election Workers and BLO Unity Forum, said that since BLOs are working at the grassroots level, all responsibility is being placed on them. The main problem lies with AROs and EROs. What action will be taken against them?
