Election Commission Questions West Bengal Government Over Delayed Payments
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has strongly criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for failing to release enhanced honorarium payments for election officials. During a meeting with an All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) delegation, EC officials expressed surprise that the increased annual payment of ₹12,000 for Booth Level Officers (BLOs), along with an additional ₹6,000 for Special Intensive Revision work, remains unpaid.
Commission representatives directly questioned the state administration's delay, asking why West Bengal was "harassing the BLOs by not releasing the due amounts" and demanding to know when the payments would finally be made. The ECI emphasized that these payments should be disbursed immediately without any further postponement.
Substantial Pay Hike for Election Officials
On Saturday, the Election Commission announced a significant increase in remuneration for officials involved in electoral roll preparation. The annual payment for Booth Level Officers has been doubled from ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 per election cycle. Additionally, BLO supervisors will see their compensation rise from ₹12,000 to ₹18,000.
In an official statement, the Commission explained the rationale behind the increase: "The electoral roll machinery, consisting of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), BLO Supervisors and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) do a lot of hard work and play a pivotal role in preparation of impartial and transparent electoral rolls."
The EC stressed that these officials form the backbone of India's democratic process, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of voter lists that form the foundation of free and fair elections.
Massive Electoral Roll Revision Underway
Meanwhile, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls continues across West Bengal, with significant progress reported. As of Saturday, election officials have distributed approximately 7.65 crore enumeration forms throughout the state since the exercise began on November 4.
The poll panel has made a firm commitment that "not a single eligible voter will be left out" during this comprehensive revision process. This massive undertaking aims to ensure every legitimate voter is properly registered ahead of future elections.
The Commission also issued a detailed, point-by-point rebuttal to what it described as "baseless allegations and unfounded apprehensions" raised by the AITC delegation. The ECI emphasized that the ongoing electoral roll revision is being conducted strictly according to constitutional provisions and established electoral laws.
Political Controversy Surrounds Electoral Process
The payment delay controversy comes amid broader political tensions surrounding the electoral roll revision. Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, has accused the state administration of manipulating electoral rolls during the ongoing SIR process.
Adhikari alleged that senior officials were personally intervening to retain ineligible names in voter lists and suggested that the Election Commission should have acted "a little more swiftly" to address these concerns during the Special Intensive Revision.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on when the West Bengal government will release the enhanced payments to the hardworking election officials who play such a crucial role in maintaining India's democratic foundations.
