TMC and Election Commission Clash Over West Bengal Electoral Roll Revision
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A deepening dispute between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Election Commission of India (ECI) over the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal has escalated, with both sides trading accusations of misinformation and obstruction as the state prepares for assembly elections. The core of the conflict centers on allegations of undue pressure on booth-level officers (BLOs) and delays in financial compensation for their work.
TMC Alleges Pressure on BLOs, Demands Transparency
The conflict intensified on Saturday, November 30th, with the TMC claiming the ECI was disseminating “false narratives” regarding the ongoing SIR exercise. Derek O’Brien, TMC’s leader in the Rajya Sabha, reiterated the party’s claim that the ECI is “responsible for the deaths of 40 BLOs” in West Bengal. “Some fake narrative may come out again. Because what will happen? Who is pressurising these BLOs? Let it be known today…the BLOs are being pressurised because of the work they have been given through the Election Commission of India,” O’Brien stated at a press conference in New Delhi.
O’Brien further alleged that the ECI failed to address five key questions raised by a TMC delegation on Friday and called for the release of a transcript of that meeting. He emphasized that the TMC supports the SIR exercise itself, but objects to its implementation in West Bengal. “Now the question is, if we are saying all this, all 10 of us MPs, then why don’t you release the transcript of what was discussed at yesterday’s meeting?” he asked.
ECI Rebuts Claims, Points to West Bengal Government Delays
The ECI has strongly refuted the TMC’s allegations, asserting it provided a “point by point rebuttal” to the party’s concerns during the Friday meeting. The poll body also accused the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to disburse enhanced honorariums for BLOs, despite prior ECI approval.
According to a senior poll panel official, the ECI found it “very strange that the enhanced honorarium of ₹12,000 per year and additional ₹6,000 for SIR approved by ECI for BLOs and EROs has not yet been disbursed by the state government.” The official questioned, “Why is the West Bengal government harassing the BLOs by not releasing the due amounts to them?” The ECI advised the TMC to submit claims and objections only after the draft electoral rolls are published on December 9th, and to refrain from interfering with the work of field officers.
Protests Erupt as Concerns Mount
The escalating tensions have sparked protests. The BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, representing BLOs and other government officials, staged a demonstration in Kolkata demanding compensation for BLOs who reportedly died while conducting SIR-related work. Family members of a BLO who allegedly died of a heart attack on Thursday night in Murshidabad district joined the protest, with some protestors briefly obstructing the CEO’s vehicle before being dispersed by police.
ECI Bolsters Oversight, Prepares for Future Elections
In response to the situation, the ECI has appointed retired IAS officer Subrata Gupta as a ‘special roll observer’ for the SIR exercise in West Bengal. Additionally, the ECI has deployed 12 IAS officers as electoral roll observers to oversee the preparation of electoral rolls.
Looking ahead, the ECI has directed district magistrates across the state to identify potential polling station locations within housing societies and high-rise buildings, with a deadline of December 4th for completing the rationalization of polling stations in preparation for the 2026 assembly elections. The ECI sent a letter to the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (WBCEO) and all District Election Officers (DEOs) outlining these directives.
The ongoing dispute underscores the high stakes surrounding electoral integrity in West Bengal and raises questions about the coordination and cooperation between the state government and the national election body as the state moves closer to a crucial election cycle.
