wb-ceo-seeks-report-on-tmc-leader-s-inclusion-in-blo-list

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, has requested a report concerning the alleged inclusion of a Trinamool Congress (TMC) office bearer in the list of Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) for the Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

 

Sources within the CEO’s office confirmed that a detailed report was sought after the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, brought the matter to the attention of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Adhikari highlighted the Diamond Harbour example as proof of ruling party office bearers being included in the BLO lists.

 

According to information provided by the Leader of the Opposition, the BLO in question is Md Alauddin Molla, whose name appears on the list for the Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas. Adhikari pointed out that the same person is one of the area presidents of the ruling party, and his wife, Liala Bibi, is an elected TMC panchayat member from block number two of Diamond Harbour.

 

Following Suvendu Adhikari’s intervention on Saturday, West Bengal CEO Agarwal sought a detailed report from the South 24 Parganas District Magistrate, who also serves as the District Election Officer.

 

On Saturday, Adhikari also cautioned that if such politically-affiliated persons continue to be on the BLOs’ list, there is every possibility that they might "manipulate" the electoral process.

 

The selection of BLOs in West Bengal has been shrouded in controversy from the outset. Initially, there were allegations that contractual state government employees and para-teachers were included as BLOs, thereby bypassing the ECI’s mandate that only permanent state government employees and permanent teachers attached to state-run schools should be considered for selection.

 

There have also been complaints about irregularities in the selection of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). While the Commission has mandated that only West Bengal Civil Service (WBCS) cadre officers of the rank of sub-divisional officers, sub-divisional magistrates, or rural development officers should be selected as EROs, there were allegations that officers below those ranks were included in the list.

 

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