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West Bengal SIR: Election Commission is very strict regarding the SIR process. The Election Commission has issued notices to eight BLOs in West Bengal for not following the rules.
9 November, 2025
West Bengal SIR: After completing the Special Intensive Review (SIR) in Bihar, the Election Commission is now running the process of SIR in 12 other states including West Bengal. The Election Commission is very strict regarding SIR. The Election Commission has taken action against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for not following the rules in West Bengal. The Election Commission has issued show cause notices to eight BLOs in West Bengal.
were distributing forms at the tea shop
These officials are alleged to have been distributing forms from tea shops, local clubs and other places instead of door-to-door distribution of forms for the ongoing Special Intensive Vetting (SIR). The Election Commission has also issued new instructions to ensure strict adherence to procedures during the ongoing SIR of voter lists in the state. State Chief Electoral Office officials said the Election Commission has expressed dissatisfaction over these lapses and has directed all District Election Officers (DEOs) and District Magistrates to ensure that BLOs visit each voter’s home personally to distribute and collect the forms as per the electoral norms.
Instructions to follow Bihar model
“The commission has directed state officials to follow the ‘Bihar model’, under which BLOs have to distribute and collect forms directly from voters’ homes,” the official said on Saturday. He said, “Disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found negligent in duty. So far, show cause notices have been issued to eight BLOs for allegedly violating these instructions.”
Helpline number released
The official said that to ensure effective monitoring, the Election Commission has directed to create control rooms at the district level and appoint a BLO observer at every 10 booths. Let us tell you, the Commission on Saturday started a helpline number – 033-22310850 – so that citizens can lodge complaints against BLOs behaving partisanly. Any BLO named in such complaints will first be interrogated and then warned. If they are found doing this again, a departmental inquiry will be ordered.
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