Political Tensions Rise in West Bengal Over Voter List Review

Political Climate Heats Up in West Bengal

The decision by the Election Commission to conduct a Special Intensive Review (SIR) of the voter list has intensified the political atmosphere in West Bengal. Notably, the ruling Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have openly opposed the SIR process. In response, Chief Minister Banerjee announced that she would lead a significant protest march in Kolkata on Tuesday, November 4, to voice her objections.

Timeline for the Special Intensive Review

Recently, the Election Commission revealed that the second phase of the Special Intensive Review will take place in West Bengal and 11 other states and union territories where elections are scheduled for next year. This SIR process is set to run from November 4 to December 4. A draft of the voter list will be published on December 9, with the final list expected to be released on February 7.

CEO's Preparations for the SIR

On the eve of the Special Intensive Review in West Bengal, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Agarwal held a meeting with all district magistrates on Monday to finalize last-minute preparations. Officials reported that during this meeting, district officers were instructed to ensure the safety of booth-level officers (BLOs) as they conduct door-to-door surveys for the SIR.

Call for Enhanced Security for BLOs

BLOs and other officials have been directed to carry out their surveys without fear starting Tuesday. The CEO emphasized the importance of these instructions in a virtual meeting with district magistrates before the formal commencement of the SIR. An official stated, "The data collection process will take place from November 4 to December 4..." He added that the verification of details would be based on the SIR conducted in 2002, and voters can also fill out forms online.

Protests During BLO Training Sessions

A new controversy emerged following reports of disruptions during BLO training sessions in Kolkata and several districts on Saturday. According to reports, government employees raised concerns regarding their official duty status, working hours, and security coverage. Many teachers appointed as BLOs claimed their schools marked them as "absent" during training hours. They demanded to be marked as "on duty" for those days. Additionally, teachers requested central security coverage during training sessions and warned that they would not work without adequate safety measures. Several female teachers refused to work without security after dark. Many BLOs also raised issues about being forced to work beyond their official hours. However, sources from the Election Commission indicated that the request for central security could not be accommodated, as law and order is a state matter.