BLOs Clash with Police over Excessive Work Pressure Amid SIR Exercise in West Bengal

Image Source: Internet

Kolkata: Booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal staged a tense protest outside the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in Kolkata on Monday, demanding relief from alleged excessive work pressure during the ongoing Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) exercise. The protest turned violent when BLOs clashed with police personnel, attempting to breach barricades to reach the CEO's office. The BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, which organized the protest, claimed that the Election Commission's failure to address their grievances has forced them to take drastic measures. BLOs alleged that they are being pushed to complete tasks within an unrealistically short timeframe, which has resulted in many falling ill and even taking their own lives due to stress. The SIR exercise, which began on November 4 and will conclude on December 4, involves house-to-house enumeration. The BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee has warned of a continuous protest program if deadlines are not extended or corrective steps are not taken. Meanwhile, another organization, BLO Oikya Mancha, has raised concerns over the digitization of enumeration forms and demanded additional support staff, submitting a deputation to the Election Commission on November 22.