BLOs across West Bengal allege political pressure and irregularities as EC vows strict action under Section 32 of the Representation of People’s Act.
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| Election Commission warns against voter form fraud in West Bengal |
Article:
The Election Commission (EC) of India has issued a stern warning against irregularities during West Bengal’s ongoing voter list revision. According to the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office, anyone filling an enumeration form in the name of a deceased person will face legal action, with punishment of up to one year’s imprisonment under Section 32 of the Representation of People’s Act.
The BLO Oikya Mancha (Association of Booth Level Officers) claims that in South Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and North Dinajpur, political agents are pressuring BLOs to deliver forms to families of deceased voters. In Hooghly’s Tarakeshwar, a female BJP worker was allegedly assaulted over the issue.
Meanwhile, the death of BLO Namita Hansda in East Burdwan’s Memari area has triggered demands for financial compensation and a government job for her family. Hansda, also an Anganwadi worker, died while on voter duty. Joint CEO Arindam Niyogi said the EC will decide once the district’s report arrives. He noted that although compensation exists for polling staff who die on duty, no defined rule applies to BLOs working during voter list revision.
In Kolkata’s Pragati Maidan, a BJP worker named Meghnad Das was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress workers while helping locals fill forms—an accusation the party denies. Oikya Mancha’s General Secretary Swapan Mondal said, “Because the forms are now digitally stored, BLOs are under heavy pressure and fear of punishment.”
Officials from the CEO office reassured BLOs that there is no need for panic. If a deceased person’s form is mistakenly submitted, it must be uploaded as ‘Not Recommended’. Should such names still appear in the final list, both the BLO and the family member who filled the form will face action.
As of Monday evening, the CEO office reported that 5.85 crore enumeration forms have been distributed across the state. The BLO Oikya Mancha has requested an extension of the submission deadline due to delays in supply.