Archive · 14 Jan 2026
BLOs Protest Over Deaths, Stress in Bengal
Booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal are very upset and protested in front of the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer.
They say that the Election Commission (EC) has not been taking care of them while they are doing their job to update the voter list.
Many BLOs have been feeling very stressed and some have even died because of the tough work.
The protesters want the EC to help them by making their workload easier and giving them money if they get sick or die while working.
The voter list in West Bengal has recently been updated, and many names have been removed, which has made the situation even more tense.
The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has accused the EC of using AI tools developed by the BJP to wrongly delete voters’ names.
The BJP, on the other hand, has accused the state government and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of obstructing the revision process.
The EC has instructed BLOs in Uttar Pradesh to read out the draft electoral rolls to voters to ensure the success of the programme.
Booth-level officers (BLOs) protested in Kolkata against the Election Commission of India (ECI) for alleged indifference to their deaths and stress during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
BLOs claimed they are under tremendous mental and physical pressure due to the revision exercise, with reports of multiple deaths and stress-related breakdowns.
The protesters demanded immediate intervention, workload rationalisation, and a formal compensation policy for BLOs engaged in the SIR exercise.
The draft electoral rolls published on December 16, 2025, showed the electorate in West Bengal shrinking from 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore, with over 58 lakh names deleted.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the EC of using AI tools allegedly developed by the BJP to wrongly delete voters’ names, leading to the exclusion of genuine voters.
- Who
- Booth-level officers (BLOs), BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, Election Commission of India (ECI), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP, Trinamool Congress (TMC)
- What
- Protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI) for alleged indifference to the deaths and stress of BLOs during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the use of AI tools to delete voters’ names
- When
- Protest held in January 2026 (exact date not specified); EC's instructions to BLOs in UP: January 18, 2026
- Where
- In front of the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Kolkata; Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- To demand immediate intervention, workload rationalisation, and a formal compensation policy for BLOs, and to address the alleged misuse of AI tools in the electoral roll revision process
West Bengal Government and TMC
BJP and Election Commission
Use of AI Tools
West Bengal Government and TMC
The EC used AI tools allegedly developed by the BJP to wrongly delete voters’ names, leading to the exclusion of genuine voters.
BJP and Election Commission
The EC denies any misuse of AI tools and asserts that the SIR exercise is within its constitutional and statutory mandate.
Electoral Roll Revision Process
West Bengal Government and TMC
The process has been flawed, with names deleted without proper notification or opportunity to object, disproportionately affecting women who changed their surnames after marriage.
BJP and Election Commission
The EC maintains that the process is necessary to ensure accurate electoral rolls and that any deletions are based on proper verification procedures.
Compensation for BLOs
West Bengal Government and TMC
The EC has not provided adequate compensation or support for BLOs who have suffered mental and physical stress, including deaths, during the revision process.
BJP and Election Commission
The EC has not publicly addressed the compensation issue but asserts that the SIR exercise is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
- Parties Involved
- Booth-level officers (BLOs), BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, Election Commission of India (ECI), West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, BJP, Trinamool Congress (TMC)
- Main Issue
- Alleged indifference of the ECI to the deaths and stress of BLOs during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the use of AI tools to delete voters’ names
- Key Dates
- Draft electoral roll published: December 16, 2025; Protest held: January 2026 (exact date not specified); EC's instructions to BLOs in UP: January 18, 2026
- Electoral Roll Changes
- Electorate shrunk from 7.66 crore to 7.08 crore, with 58 lakh names deleted in West Bengal
- BLOs' Demands
- Immediate intervention, workload rationalisation, and a formal compensation policy for BLOs
- BLOs' Allegations
- Tremendous mental and physical pressure, deaths of officers, and lack of compensation
- Impact on BLOs
- Stress-related breakdowns during training, deaths in different districts
- EC's Stance
- The SIR exercise is within the constitutional and statutory mandate, and the use of AI tools is part of the verification process
Sources
TMC flags ‘WhatsApp governance’ in Bengal SIR; SC seeks EC response
Two deaths ‘linked to SIR anxiety’ reported in Bengal: Officials
AI-Driven Errors Causing SIR Hardships: Mamata Bannerjee To Poll Body Chief
More centres planned to handle ‘logical’ doubts as EC ramps up hearings - Telegraph India
Mamata flags harassment of voters , writes fifth letter to ECI
SC gives EC one week to respond to TMC MPs’ plea alleging voter list irregularities in Bengal
SIR: Voters with ‘logical discrepancies’ in enumeration forms detected in UP, EC says will issue notices
Bengal BLOs protest over deaths, stress
‘Take work seriously…or face action’: West Bengal CEO warns 4,000 micro observers amid SIR hearing process
Bengal SIR: ECI clarifies reasons behind appointment of 2,000 additional micro-observers
Bengal SIR: Mamata Banerjee alleges lapses, says voters’ proof submissions not being acknowledged
EC deleted 54 lakh ‘genuine voters’ in WB without giving them chance to defend themselves: Mamata
'Game Of Destruction': Mamata Banerjee Questions Appointment Of Micro-Observers For Bengal SIR
EC deleted 54 lakh ‘genuine voters’ in West Bengal without giving them chance to defend themselves: Mamata
EC deleted 'genuine voters' in Bengal without giving them chance to defend themselves: Mamata Banerjee
Bengal: TMC”s Abhishek presents 10 ”dead voters” at Cooch Behar rally to debunk SIR
EC tells SC it is empowered to examine citizenship for electoral purposes
BLOs to read out draft electoral rolls across UP on January 18
BJP not to allow polls in Bengal if SIR process ‘obstructed’, says state party chief
'EC used AI tools devised by BJP to wrongly delete voters’ names', claims West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
EC argues citizenship can be examined for limited electoral purposes under law - Telegraph India
ECI used AI tools devised by BJP to delete names of ‘eligible voters’ in West Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee
Shankaracharya flags SIR concerns at Gangasagar
‘Dead’ Men Walking: Abhishek Parades 10 Voters to Prove ECI Wrong
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav Accuses BJP Of Plotting Voter List Fraud, Threatens FIRs
Nadia tops list of ‘illegal’ voters after SIR hearings so far; none found in south Kolkata, Bankura
EC tells SC it is empowered to examine citizenship for electoral purposes
Didi: BJP Lists Another 1.36 Crore Voters, Blackmailing CEC for Deletion
Bengal SIR hearings identify over 11,000 ‘illegal’ voters, Nadia tops list - Telegraph India
Can Examine Citizenship For Electoral Purposes: Poll Body To Top Court
Will Bengal Complete SIR In Time? 33 Lakh Notices Yet To Be Published
BJP Won't Allow Bengal Polls If SIR Process Obstructed: State Party Chief
