Kolkata – The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that it will crack down on third‑party distribution of voter enumeration forms during the first stage of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal, which began on November 4.
The move follows reports that a relative of a booth‑level officer (BLO) was handing out forms on the officer’s behalf. According to an insider from the Chief Electoral Officer’s office, the ECI also learned that these relatives are often active local supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress party.
One example highlighted was a BLO named Rituparna Hajra in Daspur, South Midnapore district. While she was supposed to distribute enumeration forms, her husband, local Trinamool Congress leader Asim Hajra, took over the task. The ECI issued a show‑cause notice to the BLO, warning that failure to respond satisfactorily would trigger disciplinary action.
Similar complaints have surfaced. Several BLOs have been found gathering voters at a single spot rather than visiting homes to deliver forms, a practice the ECI says violates its guidelines.
The SIR process is expected to finish by March next year, ahead of the state’s Assembly elections scheduled for next year. The ECI remains focused on ensuring that voter enumeration is conducted fairly and transparently across West Bengal.
Source: ianslive
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