Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across West Bengal are raising strong objections against what they term as "undue pressure" from the Election Commission of India. The controversy centers on the EC's directive for BLOs to certify the accuracy of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, despite known discrepancies in the data.
Mounting Pressure and a New Mandate
On Sunday, a significant change was introduced to the official BLO application. A new feature labeled "Upload BLO Letter" was added, accompanied by specific instructions. BLOs are now mandated to upload a signed undertaking. This document must confirm that the names in the current electoral roll perfectly match those in the SIR database, but only in cases involving spelling differences or name mismatches due to the addition or omission of middle or last names.
This move has escalated tensions on the ground. A BLO from the Shyampukur area voiced the collective frustration, stating, "The responsibility now extends beyond mere document uploads. We are being compelled to certify electors even where mapping errors exist. The entire onus has been placed on us, and the pressure to complete this SIR work intensifies daily."
The Core of the Discrepancy
According to sources familiar with the ongoing process, BLOs are being forced to vouch that there are "no mismatches" between the two sets of records. However, this demand overlooks a persistent and practical issue. Minor variations in voter names are commonplace, often stemming from data entry errors or differing naming conventions used during registration.
Omitted middle names, added surnames, or slight spelling deviations create inevitable differences between the old and new databases. BLOs argue that the EC's latest order ignores these ground realities, putting them in a difficult position where they must certify data they know to be imperfect.
Accountability and Electoral Integrity
The situation places the Booth Level Officers, who are the frontline workers of the electoral process, in a precarious legal and professional bind. Being asked to provide signed affirmations for data with known flaws shifts the complete accountability onto them. This development raises critical questions about the integrity of the voter list revision process and the working conditions of the officials tasked with its execution.
The protest from Bengal's BLOs highlights a significant administrative challenge just as the Election Commission prepares for future polls. Ensuring an accurate electoral roll is fundamental to democracy, but the method of achieving it, as demonstrated by this dispute, requires balancing technological data with human verification in a fair and practical manner.
