In the run-up to the nationwide Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal have raised serious concerns over their safety, threatening to boycott work unless adequate security arrangements are provided. The BLOs, who are responsible for conducting house-to-house voter enumeration starting on Tuesday, expressed their fears amid growing political tensions and allegations of intimidation from both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

During training sessions held on Saturday at Nazrul Mancha in south Kolkata, several BLOs flagged issues related to personal safety and security while performing their duties. One BLO, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the biggest concern raised was the lack of protection. “We have informed the WBCEO’s office of our concerns. The biggest concern is safety. Demands for providing security by central forces were also made,” the officer said, highlighting that BLOs are increasingly exposed to political pressures while executing their voter enumeration tasks.

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal is part of a larger exercise being conducted in 12 states and union territories, aimed at updating voter rolls ahead of upcoming elections. BLOs are responsible for visiting households to verify voter information, correct discrepancies, and ensure that eligible voters are not excluded from the lists. This process is especially sensitive in politically charged regions, where both ruling and opposition parties closely monitor voter registration and updates.

At the same training session, a protest erupted as several BLOs warned that they would refuse to work if their security demands were not met and if official acknowledgment of their duties was not provided. A school teacher serving as a BLO explained that the lack of “on-duty slips” posed a significant challenge. “The poll panel officials were silent when we demanded an ‘on duty slip’ to skip school and carry out the duty of a BLO. If the ‘on duty slip’ is not provided, we will have to attend both our office and then carry out the BLO’s job. This is impossible,” the teacher said. Without official documentation, BLOs fear that performing their duties could affect their regular employment and expose them to administrative complications.

A senior poll panel official in Kolkata acknowledged the concerns raised by the BLOs and stated that the Election Commission of India (ECI) in New Delhi had been informed. “The BLOs have raised some issues. We are trying to address them. Any complaints regarding intimidation of BLOs will be taken very seriously, and their protection will be ensured,” the official said. While BLOs are deployed and technically employed by the state government, the ECI has emphasized its commitment to their safety during electoral duties.

Political tensions have heightened concerns about BLO safety. The TMC filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) against BJP legislator Suvendu Adhikari, alleging that he had intimidated BLOs during a public interaction. According to the TMC, Adhikari had allegedly threatened BLOs with imprisonment if they did not follow instructions, citing precedents from Bihar. “On a recent occasion, during an interaction with the press, Suvendu Adhikari openly threatened BLOs with imprisonment if they didn’t follow instructions. In that address, he explicitly invoked the detention of BLOs in Bihar and warned BLOs in West Bengal saying that ‘you will have to spend time in jail’ and that ‘we will provide information and documents to ensure that you go to jail’. These remarks have been widely reported,” the TMC stated in its letter.

In response, the BJP lodged its own complaint against Girindranath Barman, TMC chairman in Cooch Behar district. The BJP accused Barman of instructing party workers to obstruct BLOs who arrived with incomplete voters’ lists. “BJP requests you to lodge an FIR against Barman for threatening a government employee whilst carrying out his duty. If strict action is not immediately initiated, such incidents of threats will keep on increasing and the possibility of physical attack cannot be ruled out,” the BJP’s letter warned. Both parties are essentially accusing each other of creating a hostile environment for BLOs, heightening the risks of confrontation or violence during the voter verification process.

The demands for central forces’ protection stem from concerns about political bias, intimidation, and potential physical harm while carrying out routine electoral duties. BLOs, who are frontline personnel in the electoral process, often work under challenging conditions. They not only visit households and verify voter data, but also face potential threats from local political actors who may attempt to manipulate voter lists to their advantage. These threats can range from verbal intimidation to physical obstruction, making security arrangements a key priority.

The ECI has, in the past, deployed central security forces to protect electoral officers in high-risk areas. The ongoing SIR exercise has prompted calls for similar measures in West Bengal, where BLOs fear retaliation or harassment from political groups. Ensuring the safety of these officers is critical not only for their personal welfare but also for maintaining the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.

The issue of official recognition through “on-duty slips” is another key concern raised by BLOs. Many BLOs are school teachers or hold other government jobs, and carrying out voter enumeration duties can conflict with their regular responsibilities. Without official documentation, they risk being penalized for absenteeism or administrative lapses. Proper acknowledgment of their duties would allow them to focus fully on SIR work while mitigating conflicts with their regular employment.

As the start of the SIR in West Bengal approaches, the situation remains tense. The dual complaints filed by TMC and BJP illustrate the highly polarized political environment, where every aspect of voter registration and verification is closely scrutinized and contested. For BLOs, navigating these pressures while ensuring accurate and unbiased voter rolls is a daunting task.

The Election Commission has reiterated that BLOs’ concerns will be addressed and that any threats or intimidation will be acted upon promptly. Measures could include deployment of central forces for protection, provision of official on-duty slips, and closer monitoring of political activity around voter verification. These steps aim to ensure that BLOs can carry out their responsibilities without fear of harassment or political pressure.

Ultimately, the controversy over BLO safety in West Bengal highlights the challenges of maintaining a free and fair electoral process in a politically charged state. While the SIR is a routine administrative exercise, it has become a flashpoint for conflict between the TMC and BJP, reflecting broader political rivalries ahead of upcoming elections. How the state administration and the Election Commission manage these tensions will be closely watched, as the credibility of voter rolls and the safety of frontline electoral officers are fundamental to the democratic process.

As house-to-house enumeration begins, BLOs in West Bengal are insisting on both security arrangements and formal acknowledgment of their duties. Their warnings of potential boycott, if unaddressed, could disrupt the voter verification process and delay the updating of electoral rolls. Ensuring the protection and support of these officers is therefore critical to safeguarding the integrity of elections in the state, as well as protecting those entrusted with one of the most important functions in a democracy — maintaining accurate voter lists.