A major malpractice has surfaced in Baruipur East in South 24 Parganas, after a Booth Level Officer (BLO), who had already been removed from duty, allegedly continued to upload enumeration forms. Following the revelation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to the ERO, AERO, two BLOs of Baruipur East, as well as the BLO directly involved in the incident.
The ECI had warned that strict action would be taken if allegations against the persons involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list process were confirmed. After a preliminary probe, the concerned officials were directed to submit their responses within a week.
The incident occurred at Booth No. 94 in Hardah, Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. The BLO in question was initially removed from duty after complaints were filed against him. Another BLO was immediately assigned as a replacement.
“It later emerged that the previously removed BLO had continued performing duties for an extended period, raising serious questions about procedural lapses. Roll Observers appointed by the ECI to monitor the SIR in West Bengal played a key role in detecting the anomaly. C. Murugan, one of the observers, first identified the irregularity and informed Special Observer Subrata Gupta. A detailed report was then forwarded to the CEO’s Office, which subsequently notified the Commission,” said an official of the ECI.
The Commission’s scrutiny extended not only to the removed BLO but also to the newly appointed BLO and the supervisory roles of the ERO and DEO in the area. Once the irregularities were confirmed, the ECI initiated firm corrective measures.
This incident comes at a time when the ECI has tightened its oversight during the ongoing voter list revision in West Bengal. In a meeting held last Friday, the Commission signaled a stricter approach, which was formalised through new guidelines issued Monday morning.
Five senior IAS officers — each serving as Joint Secretary in the Centre — have been appointed as Special Roll Observers across five divisions. Their mandate includes ensuring that no eligible voter is excluded from the electoral roll, preventing the inclusion of any ineligible individual, and maintaining strict vigilance over every phase of the revision process, from claims and objections to the publication of the final list.
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