Election Commission Rejects TMC's 'Blood On Hands' Claim Amid West Bengal Voter Verification Controversy

The Election Commission of India (ECI) responded firmly on Friday to accusations from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) claiming the poll body chief has "blood on his hands" regarding the deaths of 40 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in West Bengal.

Dismissing these allegations as "baseless, unfounded and politically motivated," EC officials issued their response following a two-hour meeting with a 10-member TMC delegation headed by Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien. The Commission subsequently directed West Bengal's Director General of Police and the Kolkata Police Commissioner to provide immediate security for all electoral staff working in the field and ensure they face no threats or coercion from political workers.

The Commission defended the Special Intensive Revision as a routine constitutional exercise designed specifically to ensure electoral rolls remain clean, updated and accurate. They clarified that no voters have been permanently removed from the lists, emphasizing that final deletions would only occur after the draft roll publication on December 9, following thorough examination of all objections raised by any party, including the TMC.

During their meeting at Nirvachan Sadan, TMC representatives accused EC chief Gyanesh Kumar of responsibility for the 40 BLO deaths, attributing these to "inhuman deadlines and extreme pressure." The delegation claimed the entire revision process represented a BJP-orchestrated scheme to remove Bengali and minority voters from electoral rolls. They further alleged that Kumar declined to address their five specific questions.

EC sources countered this narrative, stating that Kumar and the two Election Commissioners listened attentively to the delegation while clearly communicating that electoral roll preparation and elections in India operate according to constitutional provisions and electoral laws that TMC must respect.

The EC reminded the delegation that under Article 326 of the Constitution, only Indian citizens qualify for voter enrollment, and the current verification initiative specifically aims to identify and remove ineligible entries, including those of foreign nationals.

The Commission has issued several key directives to ensure elections proceed fairly and without intimidation. Immediate police protection has been mandated for all Booth Level Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, and District Election Officers—all state government employees on deputation—to enable them to fulfill their responsibilities without fear or political interference.

District Election Officers have received instructions to establish additional polling stations in slum areas, high-rise buildings, and gated communities to improve voter convenience and accessibility.

Following intelligence about potential security threats, the office of West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer is being relocated to more secure premises with comprehensive police protection.

The EC has also issued strict warnings to all political parties against pressuring or threatening BLOs conducting door-to-door voter verification.

With the draft electoral roll set for release in under two weeks and the final list scheduled for February 7 next year, the Election Commission emphasized that the revision process will continue strictly according to law, free from political pressure or intimidation.