TMC blames ECI for BLO fatalities, challenges voter roll revision

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) Friday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of conducting an “unplanned and dangerous” exercise, which, they allege, has led to the death of dozens of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) involved in the process.

A 10-member TMC delegation, led by Rajya Sabha leader Derek O’Brien, met the full bench of the ECI on Friday and raised serious concerns over the handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. The party accused the poll panel of conducting an “unplanned and dangerous” exercise allegedly leading to the death of dozens of BLOs involved in the process.

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Speaking after the nearly two-hour meeting, O’Brien stated, “We told him (the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar) straight, you have blood on your hands. We presented a list of 39 BLOs who allegedly died while discharging their duties. Despite the CEC speaking for nearly an hour, we received no clear answers on accountability or remedial action.”

While the TMC clarified that it does not oppose the concept of SIR itself, it condemned the manner in which it has been implemented, describing it as “heartless” and excessively burdensome on frontline election officials.

This confrontation follows a letter sent earlier this week by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to the CEC, urging his immediate intervention in the alleged irregularities and undue pressure on election staff. The party has also voiced concerns over directives restricting the use of contractual data-entry operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra personnel, as well as the proposal to establish polling booths inside private residential complexes.

Currently, the SIR is underway in 12 states and Union territories, with political parties engaged in scrutinizing its nationwide execution. The situation in West Bengal highlights the challenge facing the Election Commission: balancing the need for accurate voter rolls with protecting the welfare of election officials and maintaining public confidence.

As political tensions escalate, the TMC’s allegations and its engagement with the ECI underscore the urgent demand for transparency, accountability, and sensitivity in India’s electoral processes to safeguard the integrity of democracy.