Kolkata – West Bengal opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari warned the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Saturday that political figures from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) appear on the list of booth‑level officers (BLOs).
Adhikari singled out one example from Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas. “Md Alauddin Molla,” he said, “has the title of a TMC area president and his wife, Liala Bibi, serves as an elected panchayat member. Yet he shows up on the BLO roster.” The party claims Molla will stay near his polling station, a move that critics fear could influence voters.
The opposition leader called on the West Bengal CEO to remove all politically affiliated people from the BLO lists. “If we leave them on the books, the election risks manipulation,” Adhikari warned. He also urged the commission to check for any other TMC officers hired as voting officials.
West Bengal’s BLO selection has long faced controversy. In the past, people who were not permanent state workers—such as contract staff and part‑time teachers—joined the official roster, breaching ECI rules that require permanent state employees or full‑time teachers to serve as BLOs. Similar concerns arose over electoral registration officers (EROs). The ECI states that only high‑rank West Bengal Civil Service officers should be listed as EROs, yet some lower‑rank officials appear on the list.
The opposition’s call for cleaner, non‑political election staffing comes just months before the upcoming state elections. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, many West Bengal residents hope the elections will run transparently and fairly.
Source: ianslive
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