In a significant move, central armed forces personnel will be stationed at the office of the West Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) in Kolkata starting Friday. The forces will assume full responsibility for the security of the premises, a senior official confirmed on Thursday.
Heightened Security After BLO Protests
The decision comes after repeated demonstrations by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) outside the CEO's office during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the state's electoral rolls. Protesters have held sit-ins, raising serious concerns about the security of the election office and its officials.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has formally approved a proposal from the Election Commission of India (EC) for this deployment. From Friday morning, central force personnel will take charge of security on the second and third floors of the CEO's office. Furthermore, they will provide security escorts to officials from the CEO's office when they travel outside the premises in government vehicles.
Underlying Tensions and Allegations
The situation escalated following the unfortunate deaths of several BLOs during the SIR exercise. Families of the deceased and leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) have alleged that a number of these deaths were connected to excessive work pressure arising from the SIR duties. The SIR is a crucial process ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections, scheduled for April-May next year.
EC Issues Notice in Voter Duplication Case
In a related development highlighting increased scrutiny, the Election Commission on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to a voter. This action was taken after the individual's name was found registered in two different assembly constituencies—Shyampukur in Kolkata Uttar and Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas—during the verification of the draft electoral roll.
An official explained that while such duplication can sometimes occur due to a change of address, the notice was issued to ascertain the complete facts of the case. "The objective is to seek the voter's explanation and also examine the role of the BLO and other concerned officials in this matter," the official stated.
Another official described this move as part of an "increased scrutiny" regime for the ongoing SIR exercise. The aim is to strengthen oversight and promptly address any procedural or administrative lapses to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll.
The deployment of central forces and the strict action in the duplication case underscore the Election Commission's focus on maintaining a secure and transparent environment for election-related work in West Bengal, a state poised for a high-stakes electoral battle in 2026.
