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BLO Protest in Kolkata: BLOs working in the SIR process staged a massive protest in Kolkata on Monday i.e. 1st December. During this, the BLO created a ruckus outside the Election Commission office in Kolkata. The situation became so out of control that heavy police force had to be deployed to stop the BLO.

BLOs engaged in the SIR process in West Bengal have been protesting for the last several days. Even during last week’s protest, the BLO had tried to forcibly enter the Election Commissioner’s office.

Security of election officials increased

The Election Commission had written a letter to the Police Commissioner of Kolkata, terming the lapse in security of the Election Commissioner as serious, and directed to tighten the security of the election officials. Let us tell you that the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the SIR process are alleging heavy work pressure. According to BLO, they are facing stress due to SIR process.

West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Subhendu Adhikari said, “Why will the Trinamool government, which speaks against SIR, pay honorarium to Booth Level Officers (BLOs)? They have to be paid… It is not right to speak against SIR.”

Demand for technical investigation

After meeting the Chief Electoral Officer, state Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Subhendu Adhikari said, “We have submitted the list of 17,111 booths. They should check it and use technology for this. There should be live CCTV during the hearing. The CO office should control it. Our request to the Election Commission through the CO is that, as was given to the state and zone observers during the hearing, all BDO and SDO offices should be given a micro Should be covered by the supervisor. It should not be an employee of the state government.

Reason for performance of BLO

The BLO protests are taking place at a time when the SIR process is going on in 12 states of the country including West Bengal. At many places, it is also being claimed that BLOs are committing suicide due to excessive work pressure. The family members allege that too much work pressure is being put on the BLO.