Even after the April 24 deadline ended, many booth-level officers (BLOs) across Kolkata are continuing with the distribution of voter slips among electors in their respective areas. While some completed the task by Saturday evening, others are hoping to finish by Sunday, 72 hours before the city goes to the polls in the second phase.
According to Election Commission officials, carrying voter slips is not mandatory for electors heading to polling stations. However, many people are desperately seeking the slip out of anxiety, believing they will not be allowed to vote without it.
One BLO from south Kolkata said, "I had to distribute about 500 voter slips since last Tuesday, and I adopted a strategy of 100 slips per day. I did not get any leave from office for this work, and had to manage time from my work schedule while enduring the scorching heat for door-to-door visits. I missed the deadline, and anxious electors kept calling me. Today I started early as my office was closed and finished the work. Had the slips arrived a few days earlier, it would have been easier to meet the deadline."
Another BLO from Behala East, who had about 25 slips left to distribute, noted that finding electors at home was a challenge. "The EC's circular clearly states we are supposed to hand over slips to the respective electors or their family members. Some electors are voters in this constituency but live elsewhere. I called them, but they have not come to collect the slip. Tomorrow being Sunday, I hope to meet those electors and give them the slips."
Some electors complained that BLOs asked them to collect the slips themselves. Sudipta Bhattacharya, a resident of Survey Park, said, "When I called my BLO asking for the slip, she asked me to come and collect it from her. She even said the same to my octogenarian neighbour. Finally, I had to visit her home and collect both slips."
