Ahead of Bengal SIR, EC begins training for over 80,000 booth-level officers

The Election Commission on Saturday began a training programme for 80,861 booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal as the state prepares for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls, which will begin on November 4.

The three-day training is being held across districts and will conclude on November 3. Officials described it as a last-mile push to equip BLOs for door-to-door verification and form-filling that will continue until December 4.

Officials said the EC had issued a 16-point guideline for BLOs and rolled out a new mobile application to streamline field operations.

“BLOs are being provided special kits and detailed instructions on the SIR process,” an election official said, adding that the training would cover procedural, technical and reporting aspects of the exercise.

However, unease persists on the ground. A section of booth-level officers have reportedly raised concerns about security, while carrying out grassroots work.

“Yes, there are some concerns about security as we have to work at the grassroots level,” one BLO, who attended the training told The Tribune.

Another official, who did not want to be named, said, “Such duties always carry certain risks, as seen in the past elections, but we must follow the rules and carry out our work without fear.”

The SIR exercise has already become a flashpoint in West Bengal’s increasingly hostile political contest. In a flurry of posts on X on Saturday, the Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of attempting to intimidate polling officials and sought to mobilise supporters.

The TMC said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee would “hit the streets” on November 4.

Describing the SIR as “silent, invisible rigging”, the party vowed to leave no stone unturned to ensure that all eligible voters were included in the final electoral roll. It also assured voters that it would give its all to protect voters’ rights.

In another post, the TMC accused BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari of threatening booth-level officers. The party alleged that Adhikari had threatened officers that they would “go to jail” if they did not follow his instructions. The TMC asserted that such conduct was an attack on the very idea of a free and fair elections.

“Who gave the BJP the authority to turn law into an instrument of fear?” the party asked on X, asserting Bengal would stand by every officer who does their duty honestly.

The TMC also levelled a serious charge over alleged cash-for-citizenship camps, claiming BJP outfits were operating nearly 700 centres across the state where forms were being filled for a fee. “Anyone can get his/her form filled for Rs 20 and get it submitted, with a guaranteed of 'no rejection', for Rs 800. Forcing people to pay to prove the most basic fact of their life is outrageous,” the party wrote.

Election officials, while careful not to wade into political sloganeering, insisted that the SIR was a routine and statutory exercise aimed at ensuring the rolls remained clean and inclusive.

The EC’s training modules, they said, include instructions on identification checks, verification protocol, data security and reporting of incidents.