Bengal BJP Chief Condemns Election Commission Over Safety Concerns for Booth Officials Amid Intimidation Reports

BJP's West Bengal unit chief Samik Bhattacharya has expressed serious concerns regarding the intimidation of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) "in full public view," while directing criticism at the Election Commission (EC).

Speaking from Kolkata, Bhattacharya stated, "Gyanesh Kumar cannot simply remain in Delhi issuing two to three statements while Bengal's situation continues to deteriorate." He urged the Chief Election Commissioner to "visit the ground and personally observe the conditions under which BLOs are operating. Only then will the actual situation become apparent."

Bhattacharya emphasized that the Commission, as a constitutional entity, must take more decisive action at a time when BLOs are reportedly facing threats while performing their duties during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state.

"The EC should demonstrate greater proactivity. A constitutional body is being openly challenged. BLOs are facing intimidation and working under threats. The Election Commission has a duty to protect them. Their safety remains the EC's sole responsibility," he asserted.

The Bengal BJP president's comments follow the Election Commission's dispatch of two separate letters to the Kolkata Police Commissioner and Director General of Police, West Bengal, instructing them to enhance security for BLOs, poll officials in the field, and the Chief Electoral Officer overseeing the SIR in the state.

In its communication to the DGP on Friday, the EC wrote: "The Commission is concerned about the safety and security of the Booth Level Officers and other field functionaries engaged in SIR work and therefore directs that all possible measures shall be taken by the police authorities to ensure the safety and security of these officers and staff. It shall be ensured that there is no perceptible atmosphere of fear, threat and undue influence on these field functionaries and that no untoward incident occurs at any place."

Bhattacharya's statements came just a day after a Trinamool delegation met with the Election Commission, claiming that the SIR in Bengal was an "exclusionary" process designed to "push Bengalis out." The delegation also highlighted approximately 40 alleged SIR-related deaths, accusing the Chief Election Commissioner of having "blood on his hands."